Google is adding Gemini to its Chromebook Plus devices, and partners like Acer are joining in as well

Google is adding Gemini to its Chromebook Plus devices, and partners like Acer are joining in as well

In a blog post, Google announced that Google AI and gaming features are available on Chromebook Plus devices.

According to John Maletis, vice president of product, engineering and UX for ChromeOS at Google, “with Google AI, getting things done on Chromebook Plus will be easier than ever.” New AI-enabled features include:

• Help me write: Whether you’re writing a review on a website, filling out a PDF form like an apartment rental application, or an essay for school, simply right-click to get suggestions or change the tone to suit your audience. Help me write will help you generate text from scratch using tooltips, or you can rewrite existing text to make what you’ve written more formal, shorter, or completely rephrase it.
• Generative AI wallpapers and video call backgrounds: Built into the operating system, Generative AI wallpapers and video call backgrounds it will allow you to create the background you want and is application independent. To help you get started, Google has included a variety of background suggestions, from fun and whimsical to zen and professional.

• Magic editor in Google Photos: Exclusively on Chromebook Plus devices, you can now select a photo to edit in the Google Photos app and simply click the “Magic Editor” button to get started. Click or circle the object you want to edit, hold and drag to reposition it, or pinch together to resize it. You can also use contextual suggestions to improve lighting and background, changing the look of your photo with a few simple clicks.
• Game panel: : Game panel lets you control your gaming experience with new features like Game Control Mapping, so you can play any mobile game and map controls to your keyboard.

Additionally, Gemini AI is being added to the home screen of all Chromebook Plus devices. To use it, tap the icon on the app shelf and start typing. Google is also offering its Google One AI Premium plan for free to new Chromebook Plus users for 12 months. The plan includes access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of storage, and Gemini for Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.

Gemini on partner devices

Google said it will make the new features available to existing Chromebook Plus users via an automatic update over the next week or so. However, for new Chromebook Plus users, partners HP, Acer and ASUS have been introducing new devices.

For example, Acer is launching a platform Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Acer optimized for cloud gaming Chromebook Plus 516 GE.

The 14-inch 2-in-1 WUXGA convertible Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (CP714-1H) is powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, as well as HDMI 2.0, two USB Type-C ports, and Thunderbolt 4 ports and USB Type A port.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (CBG516-2H) is equipped with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD and up to 16GB of fast LPDDR4X RAM. It has an IPS WQXGA (2560×1600) display, 120Hz refresh rate, DTS audio supported by two up-firing and two down-firing speakers, and a battery life of up to 10 hours. Users can join other gamers and engage them in the latest AAA game without downloads via NVIDIA GeForce NOW, at resolutions up to 1600p and 120 fps with an Ultimate membership, streaming from cloud-based GeForce RTX 4080 servers.

Prices and availability

Both the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Plus 516 GE will be available in North America in Maystart with $749.99 AND $699.99 appropriately. Acer added that exact specifications, pricing and availability will vary by region, so we will update this article when we receive more information about the Singapore launch.