Google enhances Chromebook Plus with new AI and gaming features

Google has introduced new AI and gaming features for Chromebook Plus, priced below Rs 40,000 (from $350 USD), aimed at boosting productivity and creativity. Chromebook Plus now includes advanced Google AI tools to simplify tasks. The “Help me write” feature assists with writing across various platforms, generating text from prompts, rewriting text in different tones, and offering enhancement suggestions.

Additionally, Chromebook Plus offers generative AI wallpaper and video call backgrounds, allowing users to create customised settings for video calls. The Magic Editor in Google Photos, exclusive to Chromebook Plus, enables easy repositioning, resising, and enhancement of photo objects with contextual suggestions for lighting and backgrounds.

The Gemini feature serves as a brainstorming and planning assistant, accessible from the home screen, helping with writing, learning, and planning tasks. Google also provides a complimentary 12-month subscription to the Google One AI Premium plan, including Gemini Advanced, 2TB storage, and integration with Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.

New features enhance the seamless integration across Chromebooks, such as simplified setup via QR code scanning from Android phones, which transfers Wi-Fi credentials and Google account information directly. A built-in view of Google Tasks allows efficient management of to-dos, accessible by tapping the date on the home screen.

For gaming enthusiasts, the new Game Dashboard enables mobile game control mapping to keyboards, available on the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, now on sale in the U.S. Future updates include “Help me read with Gemini” for summarising websites and PDFs, improved multitasking with previously open windows, tabs, and apps, and the “Focus” feature combining Do Not Disturb mode with task management and YouTube Music playlists. AI-powered hands-free control with face and gesture tracking is also in development, enhancing accessibility by allowing navigation without a keyboard.

These updates aim to make Chromebooks more versatile, catering to diverse needs from productivity to creativity and gaming.