Google has introduced the Chromebook Plus certification program, which aims to help shoppers identify high-quality Chromebooks to buy. Similar to Intel’s Evo program for Windows PCs, the Chromebook Plus branding will be awarded to laptops that meet a set of minimum requirements. This means that even shoppers who are not familiar with PC specs can simply look for the “Chromebook Plus” label and be assured that Google thinks it’s a good product.
To be certified as Chromebook Plus, devices must meet certain criteria. However, one interesting absence in Google’s press release is the mention of battery life. The phrase “battery life” doesn’t appear once in the press release. This omission raises questions about the importance of battery life for portable devices like Chromebooks. When asked about this, Google spokesperson Peter Du stated that all Chromebooks are required to meet a 10-hour battery life requirement based on internal testing standards. While not specifically mentioned as a requirement for Chromebook Plus, this requirement still applies to these devices.
Despite the clarification on battery life requirements, the absence of specific details about the internal testing standards raises further questions. Battery life is important for portable devices because it determines their viability as on-the-go companions. It’s curious why Google didn’t make it a priority to mention battery life explicitly in the Chromebook Plus certification program.
In addition to meeting minimum requirements, Chromebooks that receive the Plus certification will have access to exclusive AI-powered features. Some of these features were demonstrated at a press event, including a magic eraser tool in Google Photos that can automatically remove background elements, improvements to lighting and noise cancellation in video conferencing, and Offline File Sync, which automatically downloads files from Drive onto the device. The last feature is intriguing, although some users may have concerns about the storage capacity of their devices and the potential for overloaded drives.
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Google has also promised more exciting features to come, such as AI-generated wallpapers created with text prompts and a personal writing assistant. These additions aim to enhance the overall user experience and make Chromebook Plus devices more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, Chromebook Plus products come with a three-month subscription to Photoshop on the Web and three months of GeForce Now’s priority tier, providing users with creative and gaming options.
While specific Chromebook Plus devices have not been mentioned, Google has hinted that they will be available in the market soon. Interested buyers can keep an eye out for these laptops hitting the shelves in the coming weeks. The Verge also plans to review some of these devices, providing more insights for consumers.
In conclusion, Google’s Chromebook Plus certification program aims to help shoppers identify high-quality Chromebooks by awarding the Chromebook Plus branding to laptops that meet a set of minimum requirements. Although battery life was not explicitly mentioned, Chromebooks are still required to meet a 10-hour battery life standard based on internal testing standards. Certified Chromebooks will also have access to exclusive AI-powered features, with more exciting additions on the horizon. As these devices hit the market, consumers can look forward to enhanced user experiences and potential upgrades in their creative and gaming capabilities.
