With Gemini, Google gives Chromebooks an AI makeover

Google introduced Chromebook Plus, a new certification similar to Intel’s Evo program for Windows PCs, last year to streamline Chromebooks and help users choose high-quality ChromeOS-powered notebooks. The idea behind the “Chromebook Plus” label on a notebook is to meet specific hardware requirements. Chromebook Plus notebooks typically start at $350, which is still lower than Windows laptops and MacBooks. Google said HP, Acer, and Asus are bringing new Chromebook Plus models to the market.

Google adding Gemini AI to ChromeOS and turning Chromebooks into AI-capable notebooks is part of the plan to bring emerging technology into products across various price segments and operating systems. ChromeOS and Chromebooks reach a large user base, especially in the education market. Schools represent a significant market for Chromebooks, although the popularity of ChromeOS-powered notebooks has declined in recent years. Google may be aiming to revive Chromebooks with this AI integration.

Apple and Microsoft are also eyeing the education segment, and they are not willing to let Google win it alone. Apple is now advertising the 10th-generation iPad, launched in October 2022, as its entry-level base model. The base model is selling for $349 after Apple recently permanently cut the price from $449. Meanwhile, Microsoft has rearchitected Windows 11 to run dozens of AI models in the background in an AI overhaul with the new generation of “Copilot Plus PCs.” The Redmond giant expects that 50 million AI PCs will be purchased over the next year.

Gemini is Google’s answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. (Image credit: Google)

Big tech is pouring billions of dollars into making compelling artificial intelligence products that people will pay for. Google has raced to add AI into its core products, with new search and chat features, as it fends off competitors such as OpenAI and Microsoft. Generative AI tools, such as chatbots and image creators, continue to have issues with accuracy, however. Google earlier this month introduced an AI-generated search results overview tool, which summarizes search results so that users don’t have to click through multiple links to get quick answers to their questions. But the feature is already panned as it provided some factually incorrect results. Microsoft, too, came under fire over a new “Recall” feature that can take screenshots of your laptop every few seconds. Microsoft says Recall is an “optional experience,” and it is committed to privacy and security.

The race to bring AI to the center of most popular products and apps will only intensify as Apple plans to reveal its larger AI strategy at the company’s annual developer conference next month. Cupertino has been indicating that it won’t be left in the dust with AI; however, critics want to see how Apple tackles the rising distrust of AI at large and whether its planned AI features will meet the same fate as Google’s.