Google's AI-powered PC is here too! Read this article to understand the five new AI features of the Chromebook Plus

Author: Du Yu

Source: Hard AI

On Tuesday, May 28th, the tech giant Google announced the addition of new artificial intelligence features to its high-end Android laptop Chromebook Plus product line, engaging in direct competition with Microsoft and Apple in the field of "AI PC" (Artificial Intelligence Personal Computer).

Some media outlets have summarized the five major AI highlights that Google has added to Chromebook, marking the first step of Google's comprehensive integration of artificial intelligence into the Chrome OS operating system.

Firstly, the Gemini chatbot icon will now appear by default in the taskbar at the bottom of the Chromebook Plus desktop, making it convenient for users to access it anytime, anywhere.

New users who purchase and use Chromebook Plus for the first time can also receive a free 12-month Google One AI Premium package, which includes access to the higher-end AI service Gemini Advance, 2TB of cloud storage space, as well as the Gemini AI assistant features in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail, equivalent to a $240 gift in the first year of device usage.

Secondly, the "Magic Editor" feature from the Google Photos app, which was previously only available on Google Android phones, has also been introduced to the Chromebook Plus laptop.

Users can select a photo in the Google Photos app, click on the "Magic Eraser" icon, and then reposition and resize objects in the selected image, or use AI contextual suggestions to improve lighting and regenerate the background.

Thirdly, the Chromebook Plus device can rewrite text across the system, a feature called "Help Me Write." Users can select text areas on websites, PDFs, online applications, etc., and then right-click to get writing or rewriting suggestions provided by AI. This feature allows users not only to create text from scratch but also to shorten and rephrase existing text to change the tone.

Fourth, the Chromebook Plus has added a new feature of AI-generated desktop wallpapers and video call backgrounds. The AI will provide pre-built prompts to generate humorous, imaginative, meditative, or professional image wallpapers. This feature was introduced into the Android 14 mobile system last year.

Fifth, the new AI feature allows quick access to important synchronized to-dos "Google Tasks" across all devices. For example, adding tasks from Google Mail on an Android phone can be continued to be synchronized and edited on the Chromebook Plus. This one-click access feature makes it easy to add, modify, or check to-dos.

In addition to the higher-end Plus product line, Google has also updated new features for all Chromebooks.

For example, by using an Android phone to scan the QR code on the new Chromebook device, basic information such as sharing wireless networks and Google accounts can be easily set up from the mobile end to the new laptop.

Chromebook also provides convenient task integration in the calendar view, click on the calendar view in the lower right corner of the desktop to view all to-dos in Google Workspace, and save screen recordings in GIF format.

Furthermore, Google has teased some new features that Chromebook will introduce in the future, such as integrating the functionality for gamers to control devices with facial and head movements into the ChromeOS operating system, allowing users to navigate the interface through gestures.

In the future, Chromebook will also receive website and document reading summaries and question-and-answer functions supported by the Gemini AI assistant Google is also developing a "Focus feature" that allows users to choose a task, the time range needed to complete the task, and a YouTube Music playlist to listen to during that period, then open the "Do Not Disturb" mode to block all app notifications.

In addition to the introduction and outlook of the above AI new features, Google also announced six new Chromebook laptops from partners such as HP, Acer, and Asus, including two budget Chromebooks and four more expensive Chromebook Plus models, ranging in price from $299 to $699.

John Solomon, Vice President of Google's ChromeOS laptop operating system, told the media that Google believes artificial intelligence is an extremely powerful technology that can change the experience of computing devices. Compared to Microsoft and Apple's "AI PCs," Chromebooks are much cheaper, aiming to provide cost-effective AI options for ordinary consumers to truly enhance experiences such as writing, reading, and photo editing:

"We are trying to bring the most helpful, useful, and fun features to desktop computing at mass market prices with Chromebook Plus and the Gemini AI assistant. Microsoft's new AI PC starts at a high price of $999, and even Apple positions its $999 iPad Pro as an AI PC. Google's unique advantage lies in providing a more affordable AI-centric computing alternative that perfectly meets market demand."

Furthermore, analysts point out that in addition to the low price as a key selling point, Chromebook Plus is also attempting to seamlessly integrate AI features into the ChromeOS operating system and software, making the AI experience more "native and natural" without requiring users to open different programs to use AI.

The above Google executives stated that the company's vision is "AI everywhere":

"In other words, AI features are there and ready whenever you need them."

To lower device prices, analysts also mention that Google's laptop AI tasks are mainly processed in the cloud, distinguishing them from Microsoft and Apple's emphasis on "locally processing AI tasks on the device."

On Tuesday, Google's Class A shares rose by 0.6%, not far from the historical high set last week This image cannot be translated as it is a URL link to an image