What I want to see from ChromeOS and Chromebooks in 2024

Beyond the Alphabet(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Beyond the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each inside and outside of the confines of Mountain View.There’s a particular argument to be made that the final three years have all been the “best” for ChromeOS and Chromebooks. While Chromebook gross sales skyrocketed in the course of the pandemic, Google and its companions have reinvigorated a platform that frankly felt a bit stale. That’s not the case, however it additionally doesn’t suggest that there is not room to develop.I’ve had so many various Chromebooks come throughout my desk over the previous yr that it has been sufficient to make my head spin. This is not a nasty factor by any means, however it simply additional proves the purpose that the market is rising.Just in 2023, we noticed Google improve 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. Not to say the entire quality-of-life adjustments and have additions which have come to ChromeOS each month.That being stated, right here are some things that I wish to see from ChromeOS and Chromebooks all through 2024.Bring on Bard and Gemini(Image credit score: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)Ever since Microsoft Copilot was introduced, I’ve been on report saying that that is what Google ought to have completed with Assistant on ChromeOS. While a whole lot of issues have modified since then, I’m nonetheless conserving my fingers crossed that this can finally occur.Assistant is already constructed into ChromeOS, however even while 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 determine if you wish to discover the subject additional. Microsoft additionally has huge plans for Copilot in Windows, far past merely utilizing it to toggle darkish mode or activate Do Not Disturb mode.Google might have overwhelmed Microsoft and OpenAI to the punch, however with the announcement of Gemini, I’m hopeful that there is one thing in retailer for 2024. Chromebook Plus sort of opened the floodgates a bit, as there are a couple of AI-infused options obtainable for appropriate units. It’s additionally doable that Assistant with Bard would be the reply to Copilot, however, that is depending on the promised enhancements coming to ChromeOS.More Chromebook tablets(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Originally, 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 first of which is that I’m hoping that we’ll see extra Chromebook tablets launched in 2024, and never simply ones from Lenovo. The Chromebook Duet 3 and Duet 5 are each nonetheless unbelievable units. However, they’re additionally getting a bit lengthy within the tooth.They are each powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 SoC, which was initially introduced in May 2021. Qualcomm has since introduced or launched a number of completely different Arm processors that would 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. But, even when that is not the case, I might nonetheless prefer 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(Image credit score: Daniel Bader / Android Central)This yr, we noticed Google launch 3/4 of the “Pixel-perfect ecosystem” that I’ve been dreaming of with the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Tablet. But it is 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 in all probability naive in pondering that the Tensor platform was able to be applied right into a Chromebook. But after seeing what Google is doing with Chromebook Plus and what Gemini guarantees to deliver, the concept of an AI-infused Chromebook appears like a dream.I’m 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 Ultra. There’s room for a higher-end section that homes the likes of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, Framework Laptop Chromebook, and others.What higher method 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?Continue to enhance the Steam expertise(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Rounding out a couple of of the issues I wish to see from ChromeOS and Chromebooks in 2024 is an enchancment to the Steam expertise. The work that Google and Valve have completed to even make it doable to put in Steam on a Chromebook is solely unbelievable. You haven’t got to leap by means of 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’d see at the very least one new mannequin that makes use of a dGPU. Unfortunately, that has but to come back 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’s not a lot that I would like to have the ability to play the entire newest AAA titles on my Chromebook, however I’d prefer to have extra flexibility. Let me play video games which can be extra graphics intensive than Stardew Valley or Celeste. While we’re at it, can we cease pretending that 128GB of storage is sufficient for a Chromebook?I’m excited for no matter’s subsequent(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Unlike final yr, once I thought that Google and its companions can be specializing in the gaming section, I haven’t got a good suggestion of what is to come back. Clearly, I used to be partially unsuitable about gaming Chromebooks, to start with, so perhaps it is a good factor that I’m ready to enter the subsequent yr with none expectations.The solely factor that I’m certain of is that ChromeOS will proceed to develop and mature, and I’m all for it. I’m simply hoping that there is one thing that comes out of ChromeOS or the Chromebook market that completely blows our minds. But even when that does not occur, ChromeOS is in one of the best place it is ever been.