Google appears to be venturing into AI-empowered writing features, possibly destined for Chromebooks, as it seeks to enhance user text creation, revision, and editing experiences. The tech giant is following in the footsteps of its contemporaries, having introduced Project IDX—a preview-stage program leveraging AI to aid developers—earlier this year at the I/O conference.
In an effort to infuse AI capabilities across its products and services, Google is rumored to be working on several codenamed initiatives, including “Orca,” “Mako,” and “Manta.” While specifics remain speculative, these projects aim to augment writing and editing capabilities on the ChromeOS platform.
Existing AI-Driven Writing Tools Google has already integrated various AI-driven writing features into its suite of products. In Gmail and Google Docs, users encounter “Write for me” or “Help me write” options that provide ideas and suggestions for professional communication. On mobile devices, Google introduced “Magic Compose” within Google Messages, allowing users to revise or draft contextually relevant replies.
Rumors Surrounding Google’s New Endeavor Reported by 9to5Google, these new AI-empowered writing features are represented by the codenames “Orca,” “Mako,” and “Manta.” The process reportedly involves the Orca UI, which appears in the ChromeOS right-click menu during text editing. When selected, Orca triggers the Mako UI to emerge in a “bubble.”
Within the Mako UI, users are presented with three options for manipulating their text. They can request AI-generated “rewrites” of the selected text, choose from a list of “preset text queries” that propose alternative writing styles, or opt for Mako to replace the original text with a suggested version in the active program or app.
Crucially, the text transformation process isn’t executed locally; instead, it involves sending the original text input to Google’s servers, where AI-generated suggestions are processed and returned.
Expected Integration and Possible Chromebook X Exclusivity These AI-aided writing features are anticipated to be incorporated into an upcoming version of ChromeOS, with potential inclusion in the 118 ChromeOS update slated for mid-October. Speculation also suggests that the functionality might initially be exclusive to Chromebook X devices, Google’s forthcoming line of high-end laptops and tablets. Chromebook X’s higher specifications could indicate that the new feature may not be available on all existing ChromeOS devices.
Comparisons to Microsoft’s Bing AI Coinciding with Google’s endeavors, Microsoft recently introduced AI-assisted writing features to its Bing AI chatbot in the Edge browser. However, it remains to be seen how both companies’ AI tools compare in terms of writing and rewriting capabilities. Microsoft’s Bing AI is built on the ChatGPT framework, a technology that has garnered attention for its AI-driven text generation abilities.
As these AI-empowered writing tools mature and become more accessible, users can anticipate more refined writing assistance that adapts to their needs and enhances their text creation and editing endeavors.
