Google Brings Gemini AI to Chromebook Plus as Partners Add New Devices

Google is bringing Gemini and an impressive set of AI-based features to Chromebook Plus. Better still, new Chromebook Plus buyers will get 12 months of the Google One AI Premium plan at no cost, with access to Gemini Advanced, 2 TB of storage, and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and more.

“You can now write like a pro with Help me write, supercharge your ideas with Gemini, edit photos in a snap with Magic Editor, and more — all on your Chromebook Plus,” Google ChromeOS president John Maletis said. “All Chromebooks will also have new tools and Google integrations to help make it easier to get things done. And with our wide range of devices, including a few new ones this spring, you can find your favorite Chromebook.”

Maletis noted in a briefing last week that Chromebook has always been about democratizing technology with products that are both simple and powerful. And while Microsoft recently introduced a new high-end Copilot+ PC specification with prices starting above $1000, Google doesn’t think AI should be limited to premium devices.

To address this, the company is taking two important steps: It’s lowering the base price of a Chromebook Plus from $399 to $349, and its giving new Chromebook Plus buyers 12 months of Google One AI Premium for free. This offering, which normally costs $19.99 per user per month, provides 2 TB of Google Drive storage, access to Google’s most capable AI model (Gemini 1.5 Pro), and Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Meet, and more.

Beyond that, all Chromebook Plus users are gaining new AI capabilities this week for free. These include Help me write for webpages and PDFs, generative AI wallpaper and video call background creation, Magic Editor and portrait blur in the Google Photos app for Chromebook, system-wide Live Captions, image search with optical character recognition, and a Gemini app for Chromebook. Chromebook Plus users are also getting several new non-AI features, such as a new simple setup option that uses your phone’s settings for configuration, built-in Google Tasks, GIF screen recording, and a new Game Dashboard with game control mapping for playing any game with a keyboard and mouse, and game recording.

Additionally, all Chromebook models, including Chromebook Plus, are also receiving Help me read with Gemini; Pick up where you left off at log in (below); a new Focus mode that integrates with Google Tasks and turns on Do Not Disturb, plays a YouTube Music playlist, and counts down to completion, and AI-powered hands-free control with face and gesture tracking.

Google’s partners are also announcing several new Chromebook and Chromebook Plus devices.

Acer is introducing the Chromebook Plus 514 with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, a 300-nit 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, a Full HD webcam, and DTS Audio for $399 USD; the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (Gaming Edition) with a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display, 4-zone RGB & anti-ghosting keyboard, and an Ethernet port for $699; and the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (CP714-1H) convertible 2-in-1 with Intel Core Ultra processors, 14-inch touch display, QHD webcam and more for $749.

ASUS is announcing the Chromebook CM30 Detachable, a Surface Pro-like device with a 10.5-inch 16:10 WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display and up to a MediaTek 8186 processor, and its Intel Core Ultra 7-based ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus, which features a 14-inch 16:9 WQXGA (2560 x 1600) display, 512 GB of M.2-based PCI Express SSD storage, and an 8 MP front-facing camera.

HP is on hand with four offerings, the HP Chromebook x360 14 inch, HP Chromebook 14 inch, HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 inch, HP Chromebook Plus 14 inch. The all four offer up to Wi-Fi 6E, HP Fast Charge, and Full HD display panels, while the Plus models add all the expected Chromebook Plus perks.

If I hadn’t been at Build last week, I would have gotten early access to the new features and at least one device to review. But I’ll check out the new Chromebook and Chromebook Plus features as soon as possible.