Google wants to push its Gemini AI on all fronts. Among the first to be served are its Chromebook Plus PCs, which are full of new features mixed with generative artificial intelligence. But without providing real competition to future Copilot+ PCs.
You are never better served than by yourself. A few days after Microsoft’s announcement confirming the arrival of PCs branded Copilot+ – starting with its own Surface range – specially designed to run in-house artificial intelligence locally, it is Google’s turn to comply with the ‘exercise. After having stuffed its Pixel smartphones with a whole host of functions using AI, it is now the turn of its Chromebook Plus computers to benefit from them.
As a reminder, Chromebook Plus represents an improved version of Chromebook PCs powered by ChromeOS but with a little something extra. Released last October, these computers must meet very specific specifications and be sufficiently efficient to exploit applications and services using artificial intelligence, and in particular Gemini, Google’s AI. Manufactured by Acer, Asus, or even HP, Chromebook Plus-branded PCs remain relatively affordable depending on the configurations with prices starting at 450 euros.
And for good reason: the majority of them do not include an NPU (Neural Processor Unit), the chip dedicated to the calculations necessary for artificial intelligence. In other words, most tasks requiring generative AI are carried out online. This is the difference with Copilot+ PCs which can process AI locally.
Google therefore unlocks new in-house functions for these devices and offers to exploit its Gemini AI. There we find Help me write or writing assistance which can give a little help in writing or rewriting a text taking into account several criteria. Google specifies that this function does indeed require an Internet connection.
Another function is magic editing in Google Photos. Those familiar with this tool on smartphones will be able to implement it on Chromebook Plus (this option is not available on other computers, PC or Mac). It is possible to select an object, move it, modify its size, etc. while letting the AI take care of correcting the details.
More anecdotally, AI can generate wallpapers to use as a background in your video calls.
Note that Gemini is accessible directly from the ChromeOS home screen. It is possible to contact him directly to ask him a question or to ask for his help with writing or planning work.
Finally, to seduce the most doubtful, Google is offering new Chromebook Plus owners a one-year subscription to Google One AI Premium until December 31 of this year. The plan provides access to Gemini Advanced, the version of Gemini using the most efficient in-house AI models, as well as 2 TB of online storage space. After this period, the subscription will be billed at 21.99 euros per month (it is possible to unsubscribe).
The Chromebook Plus update is currently rolling out and should arrive by the first week of June at the latest.