Google releases a new Chromebook Plus with features powered by AI: Pricing and features
Google introduces its new Chromebook Plus series of notebooks, which start at $399 and are packed with AI-powered capabilities and unique hardware specifications to boost productivity.
INTRO
- Google has launched the Chromebook Plus, a new class of notebooks with a starting price of $399.
- The new Chromebook Plus will come with improvements for video conferences, a ten-year software upgrade cycle, and support for Adobe and LumaTouch.
- Writing assistance, prompt-driven wallpaper creation, and a control panel for simple speech and video commands during video conferences are just a few of the AI-powered features.
Google launches new Chromebook Plus
The Chromebook Plus is a brand-new class of Chromebooks that Google has introduced. These laptops have certain hardware requirements and are made to increase productivity. Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo are the manufacturers of Chromebook Plus machines, which have beginning prices of $399.
For the Chromebook Plus to operate at its best while running productivity apps and AI-powered capabilities, Google has set minimum hardware requirements. A processor with an Intel Core i3 12th Gen or higher, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or higher, is required for these specs. The device must also feature a minimum of 8GB of RAM, 128GB or more of storage, a webcam with a minimum resolution of 1080p with Temporal Noise Reduction, and a premium Full HD IPS display. These requirements are intended to improve the Chromebook Plus's general usability and capacity.
Google is giving Chromebook Plus devices useful video conferencing features. Users can quickly mute or unmute the microphone and turn on or off the camera using a separate control panel at the bottom of the system. AI-powered features, including better illumination, noise suppression, background blur, and live captions, are revealed when the menu is expanded. Additionally, Google Drive's automatic file synchronization is now enabled, making it possible to access files even when there is no internet connection.
Google Photos Updates
On Chromebook Plus, Google Photos is getting a number of enhancements, such as Magic Eraser for object removal, HDR, portrait blur, and automatically creating movies from images and videos. Google has stated that these capabilities will initially only be available on the Plus model, even if some of them might work with other Chromebooks.
Partnerships and Subscriptions
To offer programs like Photoshop, Adobe Express, and LumaFusion, Google is working with Adobe and LumaTouch. Customers who purchase a new Chromebook Plus will receive a complimentary three-month membership to Photoshop and Express. Furthermore, a three-month membership to Nvidia's GeForce NOW Priority premium cloud gaming service will be included with all new Chromebook Plus machines.
Upcoming AI-Powered Features
Google will add AI-powered capabilities to Chromebook Plus in accordance with its AI integration goal, including a writing assistant that can function on numerous websites. A previously disclosed capability for Android will also be available, allowing users to create AI-generated wallpapers based on prompts.
Software Updates
Google is also offering older computers that fit the Chromebook Plus profile an additional 10 years of software updates. This guarantees Chromebook users durability and support indefinitely.
With a starting price of $399, Asus, Acer, HP, and Lenovo will release the first batch of Chromebook Plus laptops. These gadgets will be on sale starting on October 8 and come in clamshell and detachable two-in-one form factors. Customers in Europe and Canada can order Chromebook Plus models for delivery the next day.