Google Chromebook Plus devices get a new suite of AI features

Google is growing by integrating artificial intelligence across its technology ecosystem, and Chromebook laptops are next in line. Google has announced a suite of AI-powered features that will be available in its Chromebook Plus line, announced last October. These will be part of ChromeOS version 125.

Chromebook Plus now has a system-wide “Help Me Writing” tool. This functionality goes beyond basic Chrome integration and allows you to rewrite text in PDF files, websites, and web applications. Whether you want to rephrase a sentence, shorten a paragraph, or create a more formal tone, this AI assistant is here to help. This is accompanied by custom AI-generated wallpapers and backgrounds on Chromebook Plus, where users must display a text prompt specifying their desired themes to ensure that the AI ​​creates an image tailored to their preferences. By right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Set wallpaper and style”, users can create unique wallpapers using artificial intelligence.

“Starting today, new Google AI features and games are available on Chromebook Plus. You can now write like a pro with Help Me Write, improve your ideas with Gemini, instantly edit photos with Magic Editor, and more – all on Chromebook Plus laptops, starting at $350. All Chromebooks will also come with new tools and integrations with Google that will make it easier to perform a variety of tasks. And with our wide range of devices, including several new ones this spring, you’ll find the Chromebook that’s best for you,” Google noted in its official blog post on the topic. More specifically, the “new” ones discussed here refer to the new Google Chromebook Plus models from manufacturers including HP, Acer, and Asus.

The powerful Magic Editor, previously exclusive to Google Pixel devices and available with a Google One subscription, is now available on Chromebook Plus laptops. This tool allows users to easily manipulate photos by allowing them to move or resize objects, adjust the sky, remove parts of the photo, and apply contextual settings like Sky and Golden Hour and more, all in a user-friendly interface. Moreover, Google’s AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, is now pre-installed on Chromebook Plus devices. This not only provides easy access to Gemini’s capabilities, but also streamlines the offer for Chromebook Plus buyers who receive a free 12-month subscription to the Google One AI Premium plan. This premium plan unlocks advanced Gemini features in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and other Workspace apps. For users who previously subscribed to Google One, this offer still applies, providing significant value with advanced AI features and 2TB of cloud storage.

Google has also rolled out some practical updates to improve overall functionality. The Shelf Calendar widget now integrates with Google Tasks, giving you a comprehensive view of your appointments and to-dos. The screen recording feature has been updated to support the creation of GIF files, a popular format for quickly sharing content. For gaming enthusiasts, the new Game Dashboard introduces features like Game Capture, which allows users to record gameplay and webcam footage simultaneously. Moreover, the screen recorder gains the ability to capture footage in the GIF format, offering a convenient way to create short, animated fragments for various purposes.

Setting up the new Chromebook Plus has also become easier, especially for Android phone users. By scanning the QR code, users can easily transfer their Wi-Fi credentials and Google account information to their Chromebook, streamlining the setup process. Looking ahead, Google has announced several upcoming features. These include the Gemini-powered “Help Me Read” feature, which offers summaries of web pages, documents and PDFs along with the ability to ask follow-up questions. Google is also developing a new focus tool that integrates Google Tasks and YouTube Music with a timer and several others.