Chromebook Plus These models are Google’s way of taking its budget laptop brand into a new era. Still, like the Mountain View tech giant’s other phones, the latest update to ChromeOS on the Plus models around artificial intelligence. While the Gemini icon now has its big blue eyes staring into Chromebook users’ taskbars, all new Chromebooks will soon have a new keyboard layout that puts Google’s artificial intelligence directly at your fingertips.
This new “Quick Access” feature brings Gemini’s Help me write text generation functionality. It is similar to Copilot key on Windows PC but Has some extra features. If you’re not interested in artificial intelligence writing your emails for you (I certainly wasn’t), other features appear in a small drop-down menu, including easy access to emojis and GIFs when messaging your friends. You can quickly search Google Drive, link to recently opened websites, and even convert the date and time in text.
The first new Chromebook to feature quick-insert keys is the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. This is a large laptop, even equipped with a small keyboard and an almost 16-inch OLED display. The button shares space with the Caps Lock key, taking the place of the previous launch key. But don’t feel bad about the old “G” key. It now has a permanent place next to the function keys and the Alt key.
What AI features are coming to Chromebook Plus?
Currently, the key does not provide access to AI image generation, although Google says it will in the future. Why is “Quick Access” first instead of “Launcher Key”? Google told Gizmodo that’s because users are still more likely to use Launcher to quickly access their apps. While I’m more enthusiastic about Quick Access’s non-AI features, there will be more on-device and cloud-based AI features coming to Chromebooks throughout October.
Older laptops won’t have Quick Plug functionality on their keyboards, and even newer smaller designs like the upcoming revised Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11-inch convertible won’t have it. You can still hold down the launcher key and press the F key to access Quick Access.
There will be a new instant translation feature for Zoom calls or instant video and audio using Google Translate. Based on our demo, it might not be the most accurate or fastest translation, but it might be handy in a pinch. There’s also a new voice recorder app that can create transcriptions from audio. This feature runs on the device, while Gemini and other AI features still require an Internet connection.
In addition to helping me write, it also helps me read, which can summarize a PDF, article, or web page as you read. Right click. Help me read has more power to understand large documents, even up to the size of a novel. These features are essentially the same as those already available in Google’s own NotebookLM. The app also has additional features such as the ability to create Slides or files based on new content. the app recently acquired Ability to create audio summaries of text content.
Non-Plus Chromebooks also suffer from Gemini AI
Even as Google beefs up artificial intelligence capabilities in its apps, the new Chromebook update further cements Gemini’s place in ChromeOS. Previously, Gemini’s place on the taskbar was limited to the Chromebook Plus model. All Chromebooks should now see the Blue Star Gemini icon on their shelf. While the new Chromebook Plus models still offer the 12-month Google One AI Premium plan, the regular model now comes free for three months before paying $20 per month for 2TB of cloud storage.
Again, I’m more interested in new Chromebook features that aren’t necessarily related to artificial intelligence. ChromeOS comes with a number of UI improvements, including a welcome review that shows the last app you used on your Chromebook. There’s also a “Focus” mode, which, like iOS, limits notifications or other distractions. You can also set time limits and YouTube Music playlists of your choice.
