Key Takeaways:
Google has announced it will be rolling out generative AI features to its next-generation Chromebook Plus laptops over the next few weeks. On Tuesday, the company unveiled six new Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus machines from partner manufacturers Acer, Asus, and HP, which will come with its Gemini AI chatbot preinstalled.
Google Brings Generative AI Writing, Photo Editing, and Search Features to New Chromebook Plus Range
The laptops based on the Chrome desktop operating system will include Google’s new contextual AI features, including the “Help me Write” text generation tool that provides suggestions on how to complete sentences, image and wallpaper generator for desktop and video call backgrounds, and the Magic Editor tool in Google Photos that allows users to automatically select, resize, and reposition subjects within a frame.
The Chromebook Plus lineup was debuted by Google last October, and at the time the company said the laptops would eventually get generative AI functionality. Although the laptops are powered by neural acceleration hardware, it is unclear how much of the machine learning processes happen on-device and in the cloud.
The new Chromebooks are the second wave of AI-powered personal computers that were announced in recent weeks, following Microsoft’s unveiling of its Copilot+ range of laptops that take advantage of the Copilot AI built into the Windows OS.
The standard Chromebooks now support GIF screen recording, have one-click access to Google Tasks, and operate an all-new Game Dashboard that lets users remap the controls of their keyboard. The laptops can also be set up using users’ Android phones.
Gemini Now Has A Permanent Home on ChromeOS
Just like Copilot on Windows, Gemini is now persistent on Chromebook Plus laptops. The large language model (LLM) will be pinned to the system’s bottom toolbar where it will always be ready to respond to users’ questions or prompts. Apart from performing simple machine-oriented tasks, the AI is also able to follow up on conversations, allowing users to brainstorm and ideate with it.
Additionally, customers who have subscribed to Google One AI Premium for $19.99 per month get Gemini Advanced with superior performance in Google apps, and up to 2TB of cloud storage. Google is giving away Gemini Advanced for free to the new Chromebook Plus shoppers for 12 months through the end of the year.
There is the “Help me Read” feature that summarizes websites or PDFs and allows users to ask follow-up questions, a “Pick up where you left off” feature that groups tasks when they turn their device back on, and an accessibility-focused face gesture tracking feature.
Gaming Dashboard Allows Users to Remap Android Games For Chromebook Plus
While gaming hasn’t been the strong point of the Chromebooks, Google has been working on making the machines capable of cloud gaming. The new Gaming Dashboard found in Chromebook Plus works similarly to Nvidia’s Shadowplay, which can pull up an overlay while gaming and even record gameplay.
Google also showed off a Gaming Dashboard that allows users to remap the touchscreen-based controls of mobile games to mouse and keyboard commands. This paves the way for customers to load their favorite Android games on Chromebooks.
Chromebook Plus Starts at $349 With 128GB Storage, 8GB Memory, and Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 7000 Processor
Chromebook Plus models are guaranteed to have at least 128GB of storage, 8GB or more of memory, an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 7000 processor, and a 1080p or greater resolution IPS display equipped with a webcam that supports temporal noise reduction (TNR).
Acer’s lineup includes the Chromebook Plus Spin 714, Chromebook Plus 514, and the Chromebook Plus 516 GE for gaming. Asus announced the Expertbook CX54 Chromebook Plus, and the Chromebook Plus CX34, while HP unveiled the Chromebook Plus and the Chromebook Plus x360 convertible.
All these laptops, except Acer’s 16-inch gaming-focused Chromebook Plus 516 GE, are 14-inch computers and run on different Intel-powered processors. Both the HP laptops have Intel Core i3 chips, while Asus and Acer give the option to choose between Core i3, Core i5, and Core Ultra chips.
The new Chromebook and Chromebook Plus laptops will be priced between $249 and $699.
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