At this time Google is asserting a group of good new enhancements and options for Chromebooks. Because the resident “Head Chromie” It’s my honor and responsibility to present you a fast recap and opinion on these fall updates.
There are a number of updates that can solely be obtainable on “Plus” Chromebooks and one other handful of updates that shall be obtainable on all Chromebooks (together with pupil units).
Three new Chromebooks to think about
Along with some new software program updates, Google is asserting three new Chromebooks. These aren’t actually EDU particular units, so I don’t assume they’ll have a huge impact on training, however right here they’re:
- Lenovo Duet 11″ – The Duet is a really distinctive machine and the most effective promoting Chromebooks of all time. This is without doubt one of the only a few Chromebooks that gives a removable keyboard, making it an honest pill as effectively. My spouse and daughter have the unique mannequin and actually prefer it. This mannequin is barely larger with up to date internals.
- Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 415 – It is a BEAST of a tool boasting a 15″ display and built-in numeric key pad. That is the perfect machine for anybody who does a whole lot of work on spreadsheets and doesn’t want one thing that’s tremendous moveable.
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus – That is my subsequent Chromebook! Samsung takes nice delight of their Galaxy line of units and this can be a prime tier Chromebook. This received’t be an affordable machine, however in order for you efficiency, that is it! This machine will go on sale beginning in October.
For a a lot deeper dive into all three of those units I like to recommend that you just head over to Chrome Unboxed the place Robby and Joe cowl Chromebook {hardware} with unimaginable element.
What’s a Chromebook PLUS machine?
First, a fast reminder…Chromebook Plus units are a particular class of high-powered units for professionals. The brand new Acer and Samsung units listed above are each Plus Chromebooks.
Plus units are designed for academics and different professionals. They’re extra highly effective than conventional pupil units and have some good premium options like HD webcams, larger construct high quality, quicker processors and bigger shows.
Chromebook Plus units even have some particular software program options, and at this time Google is asserting some cool new additions to this line of units:
NEW options for Chromebook plus units:
- Assist me learn – Gemini can summarize no matter is in your display, from PDFs to Paperwork to web sites. Excellent click on and choose “assist me learn.” This could possibly be helpful when academics want to regulate the studying degree of an article.
- Reside translate – Gemini will translate no matter you hear into the language of your selection. This contains movies, digital conferences, or podcast episodes. If it comes by way of your audio system, you’ll be able to translate it into certainly one of over 100 supported languages. What an important replace for anybody with a non-native English speaker in school!
- Recorder App – have to report an in-person assembly? The recorder app will hold monitor of who was talking and generate a transcript of the dialog. Beforehand solely obtainable on choose Android telephones, this software shall be obtainable on all Plus Chromebooks.
- Audio / visible enhancements – look and sound your finest in digital conferences with new AI enhanced spatial audio and look enhancements.
These options are being added to some good premium options that had been introduced earlier this summer time. These options will solely work on Plus units, however do NOT require any further license.
New options for ALL Chromebooks
Along with the premium options listed above, there’s a nice number of options coming to ALL Chromebooks, together with pupil units!
- Focus Mode – Set a timer to reduce distractions and deal with a single job. This could possibly be an important characteristic for particular person work time in your classroom.
- Pin to shelf – add vital information to the Chromebook shelf on the backside of your display for straightforward entry. An amazing choice for making it simpler for elementary college students to entry vital information and sources.
- Gemini Chat – A devoted Gemini app shall be obtainable on the Chromebook shelf for districts who’ve enabled Gemini entry. I’ve been utilizing this for a number of weeks now and it’s a pleasant option to entry Gemini. This app received’t seem on pupil units if Gemini is turned off.
- Welcome Recap – decide up the place you left off each time you restart your machine or swap to a unique machine. The welcome recap makes it straightforward to re-open just lately closed tabs, teams, and information. It is a nice characteristic if you end up shifting between a number of totally different units all through your day.
The Chromebook keyboard is altering…
There’s yet one more factor we have to discuss.
Google is making a serious change to the keyboard on Chromebooks beginning with the model new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
The acquainted “launcher” button (a.ok.a 🔍) is being changed with the “fast insert” key.
Urgent the fast insert key will provide you with fast entry to a wide range of choices:
- Assist me learn / write (Chromebook Plus units solely)
- Insert an emoji or GIF
- Insert a hyperlink to a just lately opened web site
- Search Google Drive
- Entry the calculator
- Add a date
- Allow / disable caps lock
The model new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus would be the first machine with the brand new fast launch key and beginning in 2025, all new Chromebooks will characteristic the fast launch key as an alternative of the magnifying glass on current keyboards.
For current units, you’ll be able to proceed to make use of the launcher button OR you’ll be able to configure the button to behave just like the quick-launch key by adjusting your machine settings.
John’s last ideas
Chromebooks have at all times been nice pupil units, however they’re changing into succesful instructor units as effectively. There’s a rising assortment of top-notch units that academics will love. Even higher, these units are among the many most reasonably priced units available on the market.
In case you have been skeptical about utilizing a Chromebook as a instructor try this weblog publish with frequent instructor complaints and a few new options due to Chromebook Plus units.
I actually like the brand new translation and recorder updates. These shall be very useful for particular training academics, division heads, college admins, and anybody who works with college students and fogeys who’re non-native English audio system.
I acknowledge that districts have various opinions on the usage of AI by workers and college students, so not all the new Gemini options shall be prompt classics, nonetheless they’re good choices for districts that do wish to present academics with straightforward on-demand entry to Gemini’s highly effective AI instruments at no further value.
Like most updates, workers coaching is vital for academics to think about and discover the affect of those updates. Be happy to attain out if I will help!
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Google is consistently asserting new options and updates. A few of them are fairly vital, others, not a lot. Let me assist lower by way of the chaos with my month-to-month Google replace e-mail e-newsletter.
