TL;DR
- Google is rolling out AI-powered tools for its Chromebook Plus devices.
- Features include screen selection for search, text simplification, and NotebookLM integration.
- A new Quick Insert key allows access to image generation and writing tools.
- Users get a free year of the Google AI Pro plan (normally $240/year).
- Lenovo’s new Chromebook Plus 14 includes exclusive AI-powered tab management and image editing.
Chromebook Plus Gets Smarter with Built-In AI Tools
Google has officially expanded its AI feature set across its Chromebook Plus line, enhancing the user experience with tools that streamline productivity and content creation. These features are designed to help users search, write, organize, and create using artificial intelligence directly from the device.
The most notable addition is a screen selection tool, which enables users to select any part of the screen—similar to Google Lens or Circle to Search—and initiate a real-time Google Search. The feature also supports calendar integration by allowing users to highlight text and quickly schedule events.
According to Google, the tool is now available across all eligible Chromebook Plus models through an OS update.
Quick Insert Key Now Powers Generative Tools
Another major update involves enhancements to the Quick Insert key, introduced last year on select Chromebook Plus models. The key, originally intended for shortcut activation, can now be used to summon Google’s AI image generation capabilities and AI-powered writing tools.
With these tools, users can access functionality similar to Gemini’s smart writing assistance, enabling smoother drafting for emails, documents, and presentations.
Additionally, the newly introduced Simplify feature allows users to select any block of text and let AI summarize, explain, or reword it, making complex content easier to understand.
Google AI Pro Plan Free for Chromebook Plus Users
All new Chromebook Plus customers will receive a one-year complimentary subscription to the Google AI Pro Plan, a premium service normally priced at $240 annually.
This subscription includes access to:
- The Gemini assistant app
- Flow, a new video editing tool
- Whisk, an image-to-video generation platform
- Gemini integrations with Gmail, Docs, and Chrome
- 2TB of Google Drive storage
This move aligns with Google’s broader effort to infuse AI across both consumer and enterprise tools, keeping pace with offerings from Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI.
Key Chromebook Plus AI Enhancements
| Feature | Description | Source |
| Screen Selection Tool | Search screen elements & capture text | Google Blog |
| Simplify Text | Explain, reword, or summarize any selection | |
| Quick Insert Key | Access AI writing & image generation | |
| AI Pro Plan | Free 1-year subscription ($240 value) | Google AI Pro |
| Lenovo AI Exclusives | Tab organization & image editing |
Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 Gets Exclusive AI Upgrades
Google is also partnering with Lenovo to offer exclusive AI capabilities on its newly announced Chromebook Plus 14. This model includes:
- AI-based tab and document organization, which recommends better ways to group and prioritize open tasks.
- Image editing within the Gallery app, allowing users to remove backgrounds or convert images into stickers.
The Chromebook Plus 14 features a high-resolution OLED touch display and is powered by the ARM-based MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip. It’s available in 12GB and 16GB RAM variants, priced at $649 and $749, respectively.
Conclusion
Google’s latest AI enhancements to the Chromebook Plus line mark another step in making generative tools accessible for mainstream users. With powerful search, writing, and creative features now integrated natively—and with a full year of the AI Pro plan included—Google is positioning Chromebook Plus as a serious alternative for productivity-minded consumers. With hardware partners like Lenovo joining in with custom AI experiences, Google is doubling down on its AI-first strategy in the personal computing space.
