Google today announced new AI-powered features for its Chromebook Plus line of devices, including writing assistant, wallpaper creation and easy access to Google’s Gemini chatbot. As a reminder, Chromebook Plus laptops are productivity-focused devices with minimal specification requirements. The company also introduced new Chromebook Plus models from HP, Acer and Asus.
The search giant added several Gemini-powered features to Maps and teased spam detection during the Google I/O developer conference earlier this month. Google now places the Gemini icon in the app shelf of Chromebooks for easy access.
Additionally, users who purchase a new Chromebook Plus will receive the Google One AI Premium program for 12 months. This plan allows them to access Gemini Advanced, 2 TB of storage and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail.
Earlier this year, Google introduced a writing tool in Chrome to help people write or reformat text anywhere. The company is now adding this system-wide text rewriting feature to Chromebook Plus devices. Users can select text in PDF files, websites, or web apps to help them reshape pitch and length.
Google is also adding a tool to the Chromebook Plus for people to create wallpapers and video conferencing backgrounds through guided messages. Last year, the company also added an AI-powered wallpaper creator in Android 14.
Chromebook Plus devices also get a creative AI-powered editor in Google Photos. This feature allows you to change or resize selected objects and the artificial intelligence takes care of regenerating the background based on the changes.
Features for all Chromebooks
New budget Chromebook customers and existing Chromebook users will also get new features. First, Google makes it easy for you to set up a new Chromebook. Now, you can scan a QR code from your Android phone during setup, and your phone will share basic details like Wi-Fi credentials and Google account information.
Chromebooks also get a handy Tasks integration into the calendar view. You can tap on the calendar view from the bottom right and see all the things you need to do from all the Google Workspace apps.
The company is also adding support for saving screen recordings in GIF format and a new game control panel with the ability to map mobile controls to keys.
Upcoming features
Finally, Google is teasing some of the upcoming features coming to Chromebooks soon. Last year, the company introduced an accessible gaming mouse through Project Gameface, which allows gamers to control the device through facial and head movement. Now, it is working on integrating this feature into ChromeOS to allow users to navigate the interface through gestures.
Chromebooks also receive reading summaries of websites and documents with Gemini support. The feature will allow users to ask questions about the documents or articles, too.
Google will add a new resume feature that will let you resume tasks like reading an article you stopped in Chrome on your phone. When this feature launches, every time you open your laptop, a screen will show suggested windows, apps, and tabs you’ve left open on other devices.
The company is also working on a focus-related feature. The system will let you choose a task, a time frame to complete it, and a YouTube Music playlist to listen to. During this time, it will turn on Do Not Disturb to block all notifications.
New devices
Along with the feature announcements, Google also unveiled six new Chromebooks — four Chromebook Plus and two budget Chromebooks — from HP, Acer and Asus. These Chromebooks range from a pocket-friendly price of $299 to $699.
