Google has announced that new Chromebooks rolled out by its notebook partners will start supporting Google Play, a move which is likely to substantially ramp up shipments of Chromebooks.

Taiwan-based notebook vendor Acer and Asustek Computer are expected to release soon new Chromebooks with an integrated platform combining Chrome OS and Google Play.

The first batch of Google Play-enabled Chromebooks will include Asustek's Chromebook Flip and Acer's Chromebook R11. Other notebook vendors including Dell, HP, Lenovo and Samsung Electronics are expected to roll out comparable models shortly, said industry sources.

Global shipments of Chromebooks are expected to reach over two million units in the second quarter of 2016 and further expand to three million units a quarter in the second half of the year, the source estimated.