The company has released its most ambitious update yet, bringing its Gemini AI model directly to the Chrome browser for Mac and Windows in the U.S.
The update transforms Chrome from a page-loading app into something closer to a personal assistant, capable of summarizing text, retrieving websites you forgot to bookmark, comparing shopping options, or even performing multitasking tasks like rescheduling appointments.
Eye-opener! Earlier this month, Google avoided having to sell its Chrome browser as punishment for its illegal monopoly in the search business, and is now focusing on features that will help users become even more entrenched in the Google ecosystem.
On Thursday, the company announced a reimagined version of the Chrome browser that will be littered with AI features, including Gemini integration throughout the browser and an agentic AI that can navigate the web and complete tasks on behalf of the user.
Gemini’s reach in the Chrome browser is extensive. The AI can review your open tabs and browsing history, connect to services like YouTube, Maps, Docs, and Calendar, and answer questions related to the content you’re shown.
It can generate article summaries, remember closed pages, and provide contextual prompts through the browser’s updated “AI mode” in the “omnibox.” The omnibox becomes the “AI box”.
As of today, Google’s Gemini chatbot will be available across Chrome to all users and will no longer require a Google One membership to access, according to the company.
Users will have to be logged into a Google account in Chrome to access the features. The chatbot will be available across Mac and Windows desktops for users in the US. It’s already available on Android and will be coming “soon” for iOS users, as well.
Rather than just typing a search query, from today users can interact conversationally, with the browser pulling in cues from what’s already on screen.
A new enhanced safe browsing system powered by Gemini Nano scans for scams and phishing attempts, while a one-click password reset tool provides a quicker response to compromised accounts. Importantly, Google stresses that all automated actions will require explicit approval, with opt-out options available for those wary of too much automation.
This update is a sign of confidence: an effort to make artificial intelligence (AI) the center of everyday browsing before competitors like OpenAI or Anthropic do. Chrome, running Gemini, aims to be more than a window to the internet – it intends to be your co-pilot.
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