Key Points
- Samsung and Lenovo have launched new Chromebook Plus models with high-end features.
- Google introduced AI tools like “help me read” and Live Translate, exclusive to Chromebook Plus devices.
- New Chromebooks come with a free Google One AI Premium plan.
- Productivity features like a focus timer and Welcome Back will be available soon.
Google has announced several updates to its Chromebook Plus initiative, including new hardware and AI-powered features. This continues Google’s strategy of enhancing the user experience with regular updates.
Samsung introduced its Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which features a 15.6-inch OLED display, making it the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus yet, weighing just 2.58 pounds. It’s powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. Samsung claims it has a 13-hour battery life, although real-world performance remains to be tested. The Galaxy Chromebook Plus also includes a new “Quick Insert” key, which provides access to features like Google’s AI-powered “help me write,” emoji search and recently opened websites.
Meanwhile, Lenovo has updated its Chromebook Duet 11″, a small convertible device with a detachable keyboard. It includes a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 is priced between $340 and $390, depending on the configuration. The device also comes with a stylus and a three-month subscription to Goodnotes.
Google is rolling out new AI-powered features exclusive to Chromebook Plus models. One highlight is the Gemini-powered “help me read” feature, which can summarize PDFs, articles, and websites with a simple right-click. Google plans to refine this feature further next year, allowing users to highlight specific sections for more detailed summaries.
Another feature is Live Translate, which provides real-time captions for videos, video calls, and YouTube streams. The Recorder app will also be upgraded to generate automatic transcripts with speaker identification and summaries. New AI enhancements for audio and video calls will also reduce background noise and adjust lighting for better quality.
All Chromebook Plus models will include a free one-year subscription to Google One’s AI Premium plan, offering 2TB of storage and Gemini Advanced features in Docs, Sheets, and Gmail. For non-Chromebook Plus users, new purchases will come with a three-month subscription.
Google also teased two features: a focus timer to improve productivity and a Welcome Back feature to help users easily resume previous tasks. These updates and the hardware are expected to roll out later this month.
