Google Introduces New 'Quick Insert' Key and AI Features for Chromebooks

Google will allow you to access its AI with just the press of a button -- these are the new Chromebooks - Softonic

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming, entertainment and deals right in your inbox. "Quick Insert" offers quick access to contextual tools based on what appears on the screen. It allows you to insert emojis and GIFs or access advanced AI functions like Help Me Write, which assists in drafting texts or changing the tone of a sentence. Additionally, it allows quick access to links to open web pages and Google Drive files and even generates images using AI. Among the new features, Help Me Read stands out, which allows summarizing the content of a page and acts as a chatbot to resolve queries. Additionally, Google has incorporated its Recorder app, which transcribes in real-time and adds tags to distinguish the voices of different people, and the Live Translate function, capable of translating text in any app. The Chromebook Plus has also enhanced video call capabilities with a new option that better isolates the voice and eliminates background noise. It also adjusts facial lighting to improve on-screen appearance. These updates are primarily aimed at Chromebook Plus devices, which must meet strict hardware specifications. However, Google has extended some of these features to standard Chromebooks, such as the Focus Mode to avoid distractions and the Welcome Recap feature, which allows users to pick up work right where they left off. Google has also made its Gemini chatbot accessible on all Chromebooks. However, it offers premium plans for those who purchase a Chromebook Plus, with 12 months of free access to the Google One AI Premium plan. Additionally, along with the new features, two new laptops are being released this month: the Lenovo Duet, a detachable 2-in-1 with an 11-inch 2K display and MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, Samsung's lightest yet, with a 15.6-inch OLED display and Intel Core 3 processor.

Your Next Chromebook Is Getting a New Key

On Tuesday, Google announced the new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which, at just over 2.5 pounds, is the company's thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus so far. The Chromebook comes with specs like 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 256GB of storage, and a 15.6-inch OLED display, but none of these are what caught my eye. What piqued my interest, though, was that the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus comes with a brand new key: Quick Insert. When you press Quick Insert, you pull up a new menu full of actions and functions. According to Google, this menu will offer AI tools like "Help me write," which uses AI to rewrite a first draft (or even a final draft), in addition to non-AI features like emoji and GIF selection; a list of your recently opened websites to quickly copy and paste relevant links; Google Drive search for attaching things like files, photos, and documents; and tools like a calculator, a date stamp, and a unit converter. As someone who doesn't use a Chromebook, it reminds me a bit of the menu in Google Docs you can access by typing "@." The Verge says this new key replaces the search and launcher button on some previous Chromebooks, but that doesn't mean Quick Insert is getting its own dedicated key. Instead, it shares the stage with Caps Lock. On supported Chromebooks, this key will say "caps," with an icon of a diamond with a plus symbol inside, denoting "Quick Insert." Perhaps the fact it isn't a dedicated key is why the function is also coming to older Chromebooks: Google says that Chromebook users without the Quick Insert key can still access Quick Insert from a keyboard shortcut, so there's no need to buy a new machine just for this function. (Not that anyone realistically would.) That said, Google will start adding the key to more Chromebook and Chromebook Plus laptops starting next year, and will introduce an AI image generator to Quick Insert as well. Along with the Quick Insert key, Google announced a handful of new AI features for Chromebook Plus machines. That includes "Help me read," a tool that summarizes different types of text via a right-click; Live Translate, which will place AI-powered translated captions on your screen, whether you're watching a show or taking a video call; Recorder, an audio-recording app that uses AI to identify different speakers and produce transcriptions; as well as new AI video call features to enhance the quality of your voice and appearance. In addition, Google highlighted a handful of new features coming to all Chromebooks, such as the ability to chat with Gemini from the OS rather than the web, a three month free trial of Google One AI Premium, a "Welcome Recap" of whatever you did on your Google devices since you last logged into your Chromebook, a new do-not-disturb mode called "Focus," and the ability to pin files to your home screen.

Chromebooks Are Getting a New Button and a Host of Google AI Features

Google software updates are coming, plus two new laptops -- including Samsung's first Galaxy Chromebook Plus. It's not often that a laptop gets a new button added to the keyboard. Windows laptops were treated to this rarity recently when Microsoft added the Copilot button, allowing users to quickly access the company's artificial intelligence chatbot with a button press. It's now the Chromebook's turn, but Google isn't introducing a button to simply summon its own AI assistant. Instead, "Quick Insert" offers helpful tools contextually relevant to what's on the page. This new button -- not exclusive to new devices -- is part of a broader update rolling out to Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus laptops this month bringing several new AI features to spruce up their capabilities. There's also new hardware: the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, the latter of which is supposedly the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus machine to date. Quick Insert is debuting on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus as a new button that rests where the Caps Lock usually sits on traditional keyboards. On Chromebooks, this used to be the launcher button that opened up the app drawer, but this has been moved below by the spacebar. Expect Quick Insert to come to more Chromebook Plus devices in the future, but anyone with an older Chromebook can use a shortcut to trigger the same functionality: Launcher + F key. When you press this button, it opens up an overlay much like a right-click. You'll get the ability to access emojis, GIFs, shortcuts to turn on Caps Lock, and even use Google's Help Me Write AI feature, which can drum up words for you if you insert a prompt, or change the tone of a sentence. It can show recently opened websites in case you want to paste a link and even has a search bar for Google Drive so you can quickly attach photos or files without leaving the tab. Eventually, you'll be able to create AI-generated images from this menu. It works at the operating system level, so you can use it in any app or webpage. Other new additions to Chromebook Plus laptops include "Help Me Read," which can summarize the contents of a page and even act as a chatbot for follow-up questions so you don't have to scroll through. (Who needs to read, am I right?) Maybe this will finally get me to spend some time on a Terms and Conditions page before blindly tapping "I Agree." Google is also bringing its popular Recorder app from its Pixel phones, which can automatically transcribe in real time and dish out speaker labels when different people are talking. It can summarize the recording too. There's also Live Translate, which works in any third-party app to translate content in real time, and I saw a successful demo of this working over a Zoom call where one person spoke Spanish and the other spoke English.

Google adds a multi-functional quick insert key and new AI features to Chromebook Plus | TechCrunch

Google is announcing new Chromebook models today with Samsung and Lenovo. With Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus model in particular, the company is also introducing a new multifunctional quick insert key. But Google doesn't want to leave existing Chromebook users behind as it added new AI-powered features for existing devices. The quick insert key, which also acts as a Caps key, will open a new menu with access to the Gemini-powered "Help me write" tool, emoji and GIF search, recent browsing history to quickly copy links, Google Drive integrated search, and tools to do quick calculations, add dates, or convert units. At the moment, the quick insert key is only present on the new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Google said it plans to add the key to more Chromebook Plus devices. However, this new menu is available to all users through the Launcher Key + F shortcut. Earlier this year, Google introduced an AI writing tool and AI-powered wallpaper generator to Chromebook Plus devices. Now, it is bringing a "Help me read" tool that summarizes all PDFs, articles, or websites with a right click. Plus, just like other AI assistants, you can also ask follow-up questions. Google introduced live transcription for Meet in 2022. And over the years it has shown different translation tech. Chromebook Plus is now getting a live translate feature, which will show captions in over 100 languages for content like a Zoom meeting, a YouTube stream, or a local video file. The company is also improving video calls with AI-based mic simulation for noise reduction and room reverberation for clear sound. Plus, you can also tweak appearance settings on video calls to adjust lighting, brightness, and more. If you are on Mac, you can use indie app Boom for all this. Google's recorder app on Pixel can already transcribe audio with a built-in speech-to-text feature. The company is now making it available on Chromebooks with speaker detection and transcription summary features. There are ton of updates for all Chromebooks, too. Google is now pinning Gemini's web app in the shelf so you can quickly access the AI Assistant without having to open the browser. Another neat feature is Welcome recaps, which will give you a visual overview of where you last were on any device. It also shows you suggestions for things like an article you were reading on Chrome on your Android or iOS device. Welcome recaps show you reminders to join the next call or show a shortcut to recently opened file. Chromebooks are also getting customizable Focus modes, similar to the iOS Focus feature, which turns on Do Not Disturb after you select a time period. You can also play white noises through soundscapes or select a YouTube Music playlist. What's more, ChromeOS will let users pin files to the Chromebook's shelf (dock) for easier access when online or offline. The company also added that Goodnotes app, a popular notetaking app in the education sector, is now optimized for Chromebooks that support stylus input method. Google wants everyone to use their AI tools more, so it is giving out Google One AI Premium Plan with access to Gemini Advanced and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and more, for three months to new Chromebook buyers and for 12 months to new Chromebook Plus buyers.

Chromebooks Are Getting a Dedicated AI Key, but You Won’t Use It for AI

The new â€~Quick Insert’ key coming to Chromebooks can also bring up quick emojis, GIFs or help you easily link to recent websites. Chromebook Plus models were Google’s way of bringing its brand of budget laptops to a new era. Still, as with the rest of the Mountain View tech giant’s phone offerings, the latest updates to ChromeOS on Plus models have revolved around AI. While a Gemini icon now glares its big blue eye from Chromebook users’ taskbars, all new Chromebooks will soon have a new keyboard layout, putting Google’s AI directly at users’ fingertips. This new “quick access†function brings up Gemini’s Help me write text generation capabilities. It’s akin to the Copilot Key on Windows PCs but with several extra features. If you’re not interested in an AI that will write your emails for you (I’m certainly not), other functions appear in a small drop-down menu, including easy access to emojis and GIFs when messaging your friends. You can quickly search Google Drive, link to recently opened websites, or even convert dates and times in your text. The first new Chromebooks with the Quick Insert key are the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. It’s a large laptop, even sporting the numpad keys and a near-16-inch OLED display. The button shares space with the Caps Lock key, taking over the position of the previous Launcher Key. But don’t feel bad for the old “G†key. It now gets its permanent spot next to the Function and Alt keys. Currently, the key doesn’t offer access to AI image generation, though Google says it will in the future. Why isn’t Quick Access getting the top spot instead of the Launcher Key? Google told Gizmodo it's because users were still more likely to use Launcher to access their apps quickly. While I’m much more keen on Quick Access’s non-AI capabilities, several more on-device and cloud-based AI features are arriving on Chromebooks throughout October. Older laptops won’t have the Quick Insert function on their keyboards, and even new, small designs like the upcoming revised Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11-inch convertible. You can still get to Quick Access by holding the Launcher Key and hitting F. There will be new Live Translate functionality using Google Translate for your Zoom calls or video and audio in real-time. Based on our demos, it may not be the most accurate or speedy translation, but it might prove handy in a pinch. There’s also a new Recorder app that can create transcriptions based on the audio. That feature runs on-device, while Gemini and other AI features still require an internet connection. Along with Help me write, there’s Help me read, which can summarize PDFs, articles, or webpages when you right-click. Help me read has several more abilities to comprehend large documents, even up to the size of full-length novels. These are essentially the same capabilities already in Google’s own NotebookLM. That app also has extra features like the ability to create slideshows or documents based on added content. The app recently gained features that can create audio summaries of text content. Despite Google doubling up on AI features across its apps, the new Chromebook update further entrenches Gemini into ChromeOS. Previously, Gemini’s place on the taskbar was restricted to Chromebook Plus models. Now, all Chromebooks should see the blue star Gemini icon pinned on their shelf. Though new Chromebook Plus models still offer 12 months of Google One AI Premium plan, regular models now get three months for free before needing to pay $20 a month for that sweet 2TB cloud storage. Once again, I’m more enticed by the new Chromebook features that aren’t necessarily tied to AI. There are several UI improvements to ChromeOS, including a Welcome Recap that shows what apps you were last using on your Chromebook. There’s also a “Focus†mode that, like on iOS, limits notifications or other distractions. You can also set it up with a time limit and a YouTube Music playlist of your choosing.

Chromebooks are getting a new button dedicated to Google's AI

The new Quick Insert button will replace the search / launcher button on some Chromebooks going forward, starting with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. Quick Insert is your one-stop shop for a host of new AI features: press it, and a menu pops up giving you quick access to features like "Help me write," which can lend a helping hand with memos, emails, and eventually, AI image generation, according to John Maletis, VP of ChromeOS product, engineering, and UX.