Gemini officially arrives in Chrome with the ChromeOS 144 update

The first major ChromeOS update of 2026 is almost here, and it’s bringing one of the AI features we’ve been waiting for. ChromeOS 144 is scheduled to begin rolling out on January 27th, and while there are several administrative and productivity updates included, the headline feature is undoubtedly the official integration of Gemini in Chrome for Chromebook Plus that we’ve had on Mac and Windows for months.

Gemini in Chrome is finally here

Starting with ChromeOS 144, Gemini will be integrated into the Chrome experience on Chromebook Plus devices. This isn’t just a simple shortcut; the AI can now understand the content of your current page in real-time. This allows users to get key takeaways, clarify complex concepts, or find answers without ever needing to leave their current tab. The integration is impressively robust, offering two distinct ways to interact:

• Gemini Chat: A text-based interface for conversational queries and content generation.
• Gemini Live: A voice-based interaction mode for a more seamless, hands-free experience.

New “Class Tools” for the classroom

While Gemini will capture the most headlines, ChromeOS 144 also introduces significant upgrades for the education sector through two new “Class Tools” features: Wireless Screen Share and Annotations.

Teachers can now wirelessly project their screen (or a student’s screen) directly to a classroom display. The process is handled via the Class Tools teacher app, which pairs with a dedicated ChromeOS receiver (like a Chromebox or a device running ChromeOS Flex) using a unique pairing code.

To make these mirrored lessons more interactive, the new Annotations tool allows teachers to draw or write over the screen in real-time using a stylus, finger, or trackpad. Additionally, the maximum number of students per Class Tools session has been increased to 100.

Productivity and Management updates

For those using Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), ChromeOS 144 introduces multi-app support for protocol handlers. This allows PWAs to declare specific protocols in their manifest, giving users the ability to select a default handler when multiple apps support the same protocol.

On the administrative side, Google is also preparing for the future. Starting as early as ChromeOS 145, admins will be able to see the Rollback protection version directly within the Admin Console under the “Operating system info” table for managed devices. This provides a clearer view of the security state and versioning of the fleet.

Be on the lookout early next week for this update, and we’ll be covering the Gemini in Chrome experience pretty closely as soon as we have access to it in the Stable Channel.