Google introduced new AI-powered features right this moment for its Chromebook Plus line of units, comparable to a writing assistant, a wallpaper creator and easy accessibility to Google’s Gemini chatbot. As a reminder, Chromebook Plus laptops are productivity-focused units with minimal spec necessities. The firm additionally unveiled new Chromebook Plus fashions from HP, Acer and Asus.
The search large added loads of Gemini-powered features to Maps and requires spam detection throughout its Google I/O developer convention earlier this month. Google is now inserting the Gemini icon on the app shelf of Chromebooks for straightforward entry.
What’s extra, customers shopping for a brand new Chromebook Plus will get the Google One AI Premium plan for 12 months. This plan permits them to entry Gemini Advanced, 2TB of storage and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail.
Earlier this yr, Google launched a writing device inside Chrome to assist folks write or reformat textual content wherever. The firm is now including this capability to rewrite textual content systemwide on Chromebook Plus units. Users can choose textual content on PDFs, web sites or internet apps to assist them reshape tone and size.
Google can also be including a device to Chromebook Plus for people to generate wallpapers and video conferencing backgrounds by guided prompts. Last yr, the corporate additionally added a generative AI-powered wallpaper device to Android 14.
Chromebook Plus units are additionally getting a generative AI-powered magic editor in Google Photos. This function permits you to shift or resize chosen objects, and AI takes care of background regeneration based mostly on the modifications.
Features for all Chromebooks
New funds Chromebook clients and present Chromebook customers may even obtain new features. First, Google is making it straightforward for you to arrange a brand new Chromebook gadget. Now, you possibly can scan a QR code out of your Android cellphone whereas organising, and your cellphone will share important particulars like Wi-Fi credentials and Google account info.
Chromebooks are additionally getting a useful Tasks integration within the calendar view. You can faucet on the calendar view from the underside proper and take a look at all of your to-do gadgets from all Google Workspace apps.
The firm can also be including assist for saving display recordings in GIF format and a brand new Game dashboard with the power to map cellular controls to keys.
Upcoming features
Finally, Google is teasing among the upcoming features coming to Chromebooks quickly. Last yr, the corporate launched an accessible gaming mouse by Project Gameface, which permits gamers to management the gadget by face and head motion. Now, it’s engaged on integrating this function into ChromeOS to let customers navigate the interface by gestures.
Chromebooks are additionally getting Gemini-powered studying summaries of internet sites and paperwork. The function will permit customers to ask questions concerning the paperwork or the articles, too.
Google will probably be including a brand new function for continuity to allow you to resume duties like studying an article that you simply left off on Chrome in your cellphone. When this function rolls out, each time you open your laptop computer, a display will present you recommended home windows, apps and tabs that you simply left open on different units.
The firm can also be engaged on a focus-related function. The system will allow you to choose a job, a timeframe to full it and a YouTube Music playlist to hear to. During this time, it would activate the “Do not disturb” mode to block out all notifications.
New units
Along with the function bulletins, Google additionally unveiled six new Chromebooks — 4 Chromebook Plus and two funds Chromebooks — from HP, Acer and Asus. These Chromebooks vary from a pocket-friendly worth of $299 to $699.