Google announces two new Chromebooks with Gemini features

If you keep up with Google’s product announcements, you might know that the company introduced new Chromebooks in May. Interestingly, those Chromebooks were launched with handy Generative AI (Gen AI) tools. Today, the company is betting on its Gemini AI yet again as it announced two new Chromebooks – Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and a refreshed Lenovo Chromebook Duet.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus announced with Gemini-powered features & Quick Insert Key

The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus sports a 15.6-inch OLED display. It weighs only 2.58 pounds (∼ 1.17 kg) and is half an inch (11.8 mm) thick. On the inside, this new Chromebook packs an Intel Core 3 100U Raptor Lake-R processor. Besides, it offers up to 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and 13 hours of battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the very first Chromebook laptop to feature the dedicated Quick Insert Key. The Quick Insert Key on this Chromebook Plus lets you access the “Help Me Write” feature that uses Gemini models to refine your text and change the tone of your writing. You can also add URL links and insert Emojis/GIFs without switching tabs.

In addition, the Quick Insert Key menu has a Google Drive integrated search option that allows you to search for anything to add to your writing without leaving the tab. Moreover, if you are a normal Chromebook user and want to access these features, you can use keyboard shortcuts. That said, this dedicated key will be available for more Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus from next year with an additional ability to generate AI images.

In addition to the Help Me Write feature, a bunch of Gemini-powered features are coming to Chromebook Plus laptops. These include Help Me Read, Live Translate, an AI-powered video call feature, and a Google AI-powered recorder app. The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus will be available starting in October for $699 (or £649).

There’s a refreshed Chromebook that doubles up as a tablet with an in-built kickstand too

Next, there’s a refreshed version of the compact and durable Lenovo Chromebook Duet that comes with an 11-inch narrow-bezel display. This portable Gemini-powered Chromebook laptop doubles up as a tablet with the help of an in-built kickstand. This refreshed Chromebook packs a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor and offers up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Besides, you can use the Lenovo USI Pen 2 (sold separately) for all your artistic needs.

On top of that, this Chromebook comes with an 8MP rear and 5MP front-facing camera. Interestingly, these cameras come with new AI-enhanced zoom capabilities. You can also use the Goodnotes for Web app since it is now optimized for stylus-compatible Chromebooks. That means you can now journal, take notes, and write as you’d do on a piece of paper. That’s not all, you can access three months of Goodnotes subscription on every stylus-enabled Chromebook starting later this month. Moreover, you can grab the 11-inch Lenovo Chromebook Duet for $339 (or £349).

Google is also bringing new Gemini features like Chat with Gemini to all Chromebooks. In addition, you’ll also get a Google One AI Premium plan at no cost for three months to access the most capable AI tools including Gemini Advanced and others. Apart from these AI features, all Chromebooks will feature Welcome Recap, Focus mode, and important file pinning to the homescreen feature.