Google Launches New AI Features on Chromebooks, Chromebook Plus

Google is introducing new AI-powered features for Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus laptops, making it easier for users to get things done.

Starting this month, all Chromebooks will include Gemini, its AI assistant. For those with Chromebook Plus devices, Google is adding even more AI capabilities, such as live translations, enhanced video calling tools, and a Quick Insert feature for faster access to editing tools and recently used websites.

AI Features on Chromebook Plus Laptops

Chromebook Plus owners will see some new features, such as a “Help me read” feature that lets you summarize PDFs, articles, or web pages with a right-click, and it even supports follow-up questions. Another useful addition is “Live Translate,” which can translate captions in real-time for over 100 languages during video calls or livestreams. Now that is pretty cool from a productivity standpoint.

Video calls are also getting some improvements. Chromebook Plus devices now offer studio-style microphone enhancements and automatic lighting adjustments, helping users look and sound clearer. Also, the Recorder app now provides speaker detection and content summaries, making it easier to capture and review audio recordings.

The new Quick Insert button, currently exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, gives users instant access to Google Drive, quick edits, and even AI-generated images—all from the keyboard.

New Features on All Chromebooks

All Chromebook users will now have access to Gemini, which can assist with tasks directly from the home screen without opening a browser. Another feature, Welcome Recap, provides a visual overview of where you last left off across devices, making it easy to jump back into your workflow.

A new Focus mode can help minimize distractions by turning on “Do Not Disturb” and playing calming sounds or YouTube Music during designated focus times. Users can also pin important files to their home screen for quick access.

Google is also offering a free 3-month trial of the Google One AI Premium plan, which includes 2TB of cloud storage and advanced AI features in Docs, Sheets, and Gmail. The trial is available with the purchase of a new Chromebook, while those purchasing a Chromebook Plus will get a longer free 12-month trial. Of course, the rationale is once you get to try out these AI features, you’ll want to pay to keep getting access to Gemini.

New Samsung and Lenovo Chromebooks

There’s also a new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, weighing 2.58 pounds and measuring 11.8 millimetres thin. It features 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 256GB of storage, a 15.6-inch OLED screen, and up to 13 hours of battery life. It’s also the first model to include the Quick Insert key. This new Chromebook Plus will be available in October and pricing has not been announced, but stay tuned.

Another new Chromebook coming is Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 11”, a compact, convertible laptop that switches between laptop and tablet modes using its built-in kickstand. It features a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It supports the Lenovo USI Pen 2 for precise sketching (sold separately) and includes 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras with AI-enhanced zoom. The narrow-bezel display is designed for comfortable video streaming.

The new AI features will be available to existing Chromebook users through an automatic software update rolling out throughout October.