Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
There is a particular argument to be made that the final three years have all been the “finest” for ChromeOS and Chromebooks. Whereas Chromebook gross sales skyrocketed throughout the pandemic, Google and its companions have reinvigorated a platform that frankly felt a bit stale. That is now not the case, nevertheless it additionally does not imply that there is not room to develop.
I’ve had so many alternative Chromebooks come throughout my desk over the previous yr that it has been sufficient to make my head spin. This is not a foul factor by any means, nevertheless it simply additional proves the purpose that the market is rising.
Simply in 2023, we noticed Google enhance the longevity of ChromeOS units, a correct Minecraft model was launched, and Chromebook Plus was step one in what seems like a extra expansive roadmap. To not point out all the quality-of-life modifications and have additions which have come to ChromeOS each month.
That being mentioned, right here are some things that I need to see from ChromeOS and Chromebooks all through 2024.
Convey on Bard and Gemini
Ever since Microsoft Copilot was introduced, I have been on report saying that that is what Google ought to have accomplished with Assistant on ChromeOS. Whereas a lot of issues have modified since then, I am nonetheless retaining my fingers crossed that this may ultimately occur.
Assistant is already constructed into ChromeOS, however even if you ask it a query, it takes you to a browser window. Copilot solutions the query for you, whereas together with hyperlinks to sources and citations, letting you resolve if you wish to discover the subject additional. Microsoft additionally has massive plans for Copilot in Home windows, far past merely utilizing it to toggle darkish mode or activate Do Not Disturb mode.
Google may have crushed Microsoft and OpenAI to the punch, however with the announcement of Gemini, I am hopeful that there is one thing in retailer for 2024. Chromebook Plus type of opened the floodgates a bit, as there are just a few AI-infused options out there for suitable units. It is also doable that Assistant with Bard would be the reply to Copilot, however, that is depending on the promised enhancements coming to ChromeOS.
Extra Chromebook tablets
Initially, this was simply going to be a bit about ChromeOS from strictly a software program perspective, however I even have hopes and desires for brand new Chromebooks. The primary of which is that I am hoping that we are going to see extra Chromebook tablets launched in 2024, and never simply ones from Lenovo. The Chromebook Duet 3 and Duet 5 are each nonetheless unimaginable units. Nonetheless, they’re additionally getting a bit lengthy within the tooth.
They’re each powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 SoC, which was initially introduced in Could 2021. Qualcomm has since introduced or launched a number of completely different Arm processors that might energy new {hardware}, however that hasn’t come to fruition.
There’s an opportunity this might change following Qualcomm’s announcement of the Snapdragon X Elite platform. However, even when that is not the case, I might nonetheless wish to see one thing like a successor to the HP Chromebook x2 11, or at the very least a brand new model of the Duet 3 and 5 with extra energy.
The return of the Pixelbook
This yr, we noticed Google launch 3/4 of the “Pixel-perfect ecosystem” that I have been dreaming of with the Pixel 8 Professional, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Pill. But it surely’s nonetheless lacking that final piece of the puzzle, and that is a revival of the Pixelbook.
As I replicate on what I’ve written beforehand, I used to be most likely naive in pondering that the Tensor platform was able to be applied right into a Chromebook. However after seeing what Google is doing with Chromebook Plus and what Gemini guarantees to carry, the thought of an AI-infused Chromebook appears like a dream.
I am nonetheless of the mindset that Chromebook Plus was simply the appetizer for what the way forward for ChromeOS seems to be like. I imply, it isn’t like Samsung goes to announce the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus with out having the Galaxy S24 Extremely. There’s room for a higher-end phase that homes the likes of the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook, Framework Laptop computer Chromebook, and others.
What higher technique to make a splash main into 2024 than bringing Assistant with Bard to ChromeOS, together with new AI options, all packed right into a Google-made Chromebook?
Proceed to enhance the Steam expertise
Rounding out just a few of the issues I need to see from ChromeOS and Chromebooks in 2024 is an enchancment to the Steam expertise. The work that Google and Valve have accomplished to even make it doable to put in Steam on a Chromebook is just unimaginable. You do not have to leap via a bunch of hoops to get issues working, however you are not in a position to play simply any sport inside your Steam library.
After seeing gaming Chromebooks hit the market, I used to be hopeful that we might see at the very least one new mannequin that makes use of a dGPU. Sadly, that has but to return to fruition, and whereas Intel and AMD proceed to enhance the onboard graphics efficiency, there’s nonetheless no alternative for having a devoted graphics card.
It is not a lot that I would like to have the ability to play all the newest AAA titles on my Chromebook, however I might wish to have extra flexibility. Let me play video games which might be extra graphics intensive than Stardew Valley or Celeste. Whereas we’re at it, can we cease pretending that 128GB of storage is sufficient for a Chromebook?
I am excited for no matter’s subsequent
In contrast to final yr, once I thought that Google and its companions can be specializing in the gaming phase, I haven’t got a good suggestion of what is to return. Clearly, I used to be partially unsuitable about gaming Chromebooks, to start with, so possibly it is a good factor that I am in a position to enter the subsequent yr with none expectations.
The one factor that I am certain of is that ChromeOS will proceed to develop and mature, and I am all for it. I am simply hoping that there is one thing that comes out of ChromeOS or the Chromebook market that completely blows our minds. However even when that does not occur, ChromeOS is in one of the best place it is ever been.
