Today, Google unveiled enhancements for its Chromebook Plus series, driven by AI technology, including a writing assistant, a wallpaper maker, and seamless integration with Google’s Gemini chatbot. Chromebook Plus laptops are engineered for efficiency with essential specifications. Additionally, new models from HP, Acer, and Asus have been introduced for the Chromebook Plus lineup.
At its Google I/O developer conference earlier, the tech behemoth expanded its Gemini-powered functionalities to Maps and introduced spam detection for calls. The Gemini icon is now prominently displayed on the Chromebook’s application shelf for user convenience.
Furthermore, purchasers of a new Chromebook Plus are rewarded with a 12-month subscription to Google One AI Premium. This plan grants access to advanced Gemini features, a substantial 2TB storage, and integration of Gemini into Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.
Earlier, Google launched a chrome-based tool designed to assist users in text writing and editing across various platforms. This tool is now enhanced to offer system-wide text rewriting capabilities on Chromebook Plus, supporting a variety of formats including PDFs, webpages, and web applications for adjustments in tone and length.
Chromebook Plus now also boasts a creative tool for generating custom wallpapers and backgrounds for video calls via simple prompts. This addition follows Google’s previous release of a similar AI-driven wallpaper utility for Android 14.
Additionally, Chromebook Plus devices enhance photo editing with an AI-powered magic editor in Google Photos, enabling object relocation or resizing with intelligent background adjustments.
Features for all Chromebooks
New and current Chromebook users can look forward to more conveniences. Setting up a new device is simplified through QR code scanning with an Android phone, which shares vital setup information like Wi-Fi and Google account credentials.
Chromebooks also introduce an integrated Tasks feature within the calendar, allowing users to view their to-do items across all Google Workspace applications directly from the calendar notification area.
New enhancements include GIF format support for screen recordings and a revamped gaming dashboard that aligns mobile controls with keyboard keys.
Upcoming features
Anticipated updates to Chromebooks include integration of navigational gestures through Project Gameface, designed for accessible gaming via facial and head movements, now being adapted for ChromeOS.
Chromebooks will also feature Gemini-powered tools for summarizing web content and documents, along with a functionality to query information within these documents.
An upcoming continuity feature will allow users to seamlessly resume tasks from mobile to laptop, highlighting windows, apps, and tabs left open across devices.
Additionally, a focus-enhancing system is being developed to aid users in dedicating time to tasks with an associated YouTube Music playlist, simultaneously enabling “Do not disturb” to eliminate interruptions.
New devices
In line with these feature rollouts, Google also introduced six fresh Chromebooks – comprising four Chromebook Plus models and two budget options – developed in collaboration with HP, Acer, and Asus. The price range for these Chromebooks starts at an accessible $299, extending up to $699.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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