Google adds Gemini to Chromebook Plus devices

Google announced Tuesday is adding Gemini and AI features from its other devices to Chromebook Plus laptops, including some from Asus and HP already on the market and brand new from Acer. These and future Chromebook Plus laptops will support new features like Google’s “Help me write” tool and the ability to create custom wallpapers with generative AI. Magic Editor in Google Photos is also coming to Chromebook Plus, which has also started appearing on older Android devices.

The company previously said it would integrate Gemini into the desktop Chrome browser — so it’s no surprise to see it integrated into the Chromebook Plus, which tends to be more powerful (and more expensive). Chromebooks. Google has added the Gemini icon to the app shelf for faster and easier access. It also offers anyone who buys a new Plus laptop 12 months free of Google One AI Premium, which includes access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of cloud storage and Gemini integrated with Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail.

Google is also rolling out new features available for Chromebook Plus and standard Chromebooks: a QR code setup process that will let your Android phone directly share its Wi-Fi and login credentials with your new Chromebook, the ability to create GIFs from of screen recordings and an integrated view of Google Tasks.

Acer announced Two new Chromebook Plus devices also today, both with Gemini and other AI features: your updated Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Plus 516GE – your gaming Chromebook.

The Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be configured with one of two Intel Core Ultra 7 processors or one of two Core Ultra 5 processors and up to 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. All configurations have a 14-inch 1200p touchscreen with optional stylus support; a 1440p webcam and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Acer’s gaming Chromebook Plus 516 GE supports the same Google AI and Gemini features as the Spin 714, but has a 16-inch 1600p, 120Hz IPS display; an RGB keyboard, pre-installed GeForce Now, a 1080p webcam and Wi-Fi 6E, plus a 2.5G Ethernet port.

Settings include a Intel Core7 150U or Core 5 120U processor and up to 16 GB of memory, 2 TB of storage and 10 hours of battery life. Notably, although this laptop works with Google AI and Gemini, both the Core 7 150U and Core 5 120U lack NPUs, meaning they won’t be as nimble with on-device AI tasks as more equipped devices.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 will be available in North America and EMEA from May for US$749.99 and €979.00 respectively. The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE will be available in North America in May starting at $699.99.

The same Gemini and other Google AI tools and features will be available in HP’s Chromebook Plus 14 and x360 updates, as well as the Asus CX34 and ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus.

HP’s Chromebook Plus 14 has an Intel Core 13-N305 processor (this no NPU, too), 8GB of memory, up to 256GB of storage, an Intel Wi-Fi 6E or MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 adapter, a 14-inch 1080p IPS display with 300 nits of brightness (the non-touch option is 250 nits). , 1080p webcam and battery life of up to 11 hours. The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14, or 2-in-1 version of the clamshell above, has the same specs except battery life (up to 10 hours) and a touchscreen with 250 nits of brightness.

The ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus from Asus has an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor, 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage (PCIe Gen 3 or 4), and a 1600p non-touch display with up to 500 nits of brightness. Your Chromebook Plus CX34 features up to an Intel Core i3-1215U (this also doesn’t have an NPU), up to 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage, and an optional 14-inch 1080p touchscreen.

All four Chromebook Plus laptops are available for purchase.

Google also said it will roll out more features for ChromeOS on Chromebook Plus devices throughout the rest of the year. These include the company’s “Project Gameface” AI facial and gesture tracking, which was open-sourced to Android developers in early May, and Gemini’s “Help me read,” designed to summarize PDFs and answer follow-up questions. . Chromebook Plus devices will also receive a new Focus feature with Do Not Disturb mode and the ability to share open windows and programs across all your devices, regardless of operating system.