One notable feature is Help Me Write, which can be used in any text box. Simply select text in the box, right-click, and a box will appear next to the standard right-click menu. You can utilize Google’s AI to rewrite the selected text, rephrase it in a specific way, or change the tone. I personally tried using it on some sentences in this story, but I wasn’t satisfied with the suggestions it provided. Your experience may differ, or perhaps I simply outshine Google’s AI. Who knows?
Google is introducing the same generative AI wallpaper system found in Android to ChromeOS. This feature can be accessed in ChromeOS’s wallpaper settings, allowing you to generate images based on specific parameters. Surprisingly, you can even create these images while in a video-calling app. A menu option will appear next to the system tray when the microphone and video camera are in use—simply tap on it and click “Create with AI” to generate an image for your video call’s background. Personally, I’m not sure why I would want a background featuring a “surreal bicycle made of flowers in pink and purple,” but it’s an interesting use of AI!
A more practical feature is Magic Editor in Google Photos, now available on Chromebook Plus laptops. In the Google Photos app, you can select Edit on a photo and access the Magic Editor option (additional editing tools may need to be downloaded). This feature allows you to remove unwanted objects from photos, relocate subjects within the frame, and fill in backgrounds. I successfully erased a paint can from the background of a photo of my dog, and the process was quite swift.
Lastly, there’s Gemini, a stand-alone app that can assist with a variety of tasks such as writing a cover letter, simplifying complex topics, or seeking travel tips for a specific country. It’s important to review the results to ensure accuracy. New Chromebook Plus owners can enjoy 12 months of free access to Google’s Gemini Advanced model until the end of the year, which includes Gemini for Workspace, 2 terabytes of storage, and other benefits—an upgrade from Google One.
