Everything Google announced at its big Chromebook showcase

Google announced a bunch of Chromebook stuff! Let’s talk about it.

At a showcase on Tuesday, Google to announce some Chromebook-related products.Here’s everything Google showed off.

New Chromebooks announced

Google’s showcase included six new Chromebooks, some of which are in the premium “Chromebook Plus” category, meaning they will get access to advanced AI features going forward. However, these new Chromebooks are from third-party partners, not Google itself. Here’s a list:

• Acer Chromebook Spin 714: Equipped with a 360-degree hinge and an Intel Core Ultra processor, starting at $699

• HP Chromebook Plus x360: A 14-inch Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge and more than 10 hours of battery life, starting at $429

• Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: A 14-inch Chromebook with a 180-degree hinge, WiFi 6E, and the option to get it with or without a touchscreen, starting at $499

• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Meant for cloud gaming, this one has a 16-inch 120Hz display and access to NVidia GeForce Now, starting at $649

• Asus Chromebook CM30: A 10.5-inch Chromebook with a detachable keyboard, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, starting at $299

• HP Chromebook 14-inch: The cheapest of the bunch, it comes with 128GB of storage and an Intel Pentium processor, starting at just $249. However, there is a Chromebook Plus version starting at $449, too

AI features for Chromebooks arrive

Chromebook Plus laptops specifically received access to a handful of new AI features, which include:

• Generative AI wallpapers: Use text prompts to make images for both your desktop background and video call background

• Help me write: An AI text editor that will gussy up things you’ve written, such as by changing the tone to be more professional

• Magic Editor: Using Google Photos, you can access a simple Photoshop-like took that uses AI to edit photos on the fly

Aside from all of that, Google’s Gemini AI assistant is now available as an app you an access from the app tray, too.

Future updates revealed

Beyond the new Chromebooks and the headlining AI additions, Google snuck a few other notable odds and ends into this showcase. For instance, here are some important software updates coming to Chromebooks “in the coming year:”

• Hands-free control using AI: Google says it is working on building face and gesture controls into ChromeOS so you will be able to browse the web, compose emails, and more without using your hands

• Pick up where you left off: Opening your Chromebook will show you a list of whatever you recently had open across all your devices so you never forget to read that article you kept open in a tab on your phone

• Help me read: Right click on an article and Gemini will summarize it for you

Last but not least, Chromebooks are getting the ability to quickly turn screen recordings into GIFs. Handy!