Google just unleashed what it calls "the biggest upgrade to Chrome in its history." The update brings along a bunch of new AI features. The tech giant is "building Google AI into Chrome across multiple levels" with new features including Gemini-powered browsing agents that can book appointments for you, intelligent omnibox capabilities, and advanced security tools. This isn't just an update; Google says it's "fundamentally changing the nature of browsing" from passive to proactive intelligent assistance. With Perplexity's Comet browser gaining traction for its AI enhanced capabilities, it was only a matter of time for Google to jump onto the AI bandwagon.
Here are the 10 new AI features introduced with the latest Google Chrome update:
1. Your AI Browsing Assistant: Gemini in Chrome
"Starting today, we're rolling out Gemini in Chrome to Mac and Windows desktop users in the US with their language set to English," Google announced. This isn't just another chatbot – it's your personal browsing assistant that can "clarify complex information on any webpage (or webpages) you're reading."
The AI assistant "can understand the context of what you're doing across multiple tabs, answer questions and integrate with other popular Google services, like Google Docs and Calendar." Mobile users aren't left out – "we're also bringing Gemini in Chrome to mobile in the US," with Android users able to "activate Gemini when using Chrome on Android, and other apps, by holding the power button."
2. Revolutionary Agentic Browsing (Coming Soon)
"In the coming months, we'll be introducing agentic capabilities to Gemini in Chrome. These will let Gemini in Chrome handle those tedious tasks that take up so much of your time, like booking a haircut or ordering your weekly groceries."
Here's how it works: "You tell Gemini in Chrome what you want to get done, and it acts on web pages on your behalf, while you focus on other things." Google promises you'll remain "in control" as "it can be stopped at any time," transforming "30-minute chores into 3-click user journeys."
3. Multi-Tab Intelligence That Actually Thinks
Gone are the days of juggling dozens of tabs manually. "Gemini in Chrome can now work across multiple tabs, so you can quickly compare and summarize information across multiple websites to find what you need."
Google illustrates the power: "Planning your flight, hotel and vacation activities across multiple tabs? Gemini in Chrome can help you consolidate that information into a single itinerary to take the stress out of your travel plans."
4. Your Browser's Perfect Memory
Forget frantically searching through your browser history. "Soon you'll be able to use Gemini in Chrome to recall it for you. Once launched, you can try prompts like 'what was the website that I saw the walnut desk on last week?' or 'what was that blog I read on back to school shopping?'"
This feature promises to end the frustration of "those frustrating instances when you want to jump back into a past project but don't want to scroll through your history to find an important website you previously visited."
5. Seamless Google Apps Integration
"We've also built a deeper integration between Gemini in Chrome and your favorite Google apps, like Calendar, YouTube and Maps, so you can schedule meetings, see location details and more without leaving the page you're on."
Need to find something specific in a video? "If you're looking for a specific spot in a YouTube video, you can just ask Gemini in Chrome and it will take you there immediately."
6. AI Mode in Your Address Bar
Your Chrome address bar just got superintelligent. "You'll have the option to quickly access Google Search's AI Mode, our most powerful AI search, right from the Chrome address bar (what we call the omnibox) on your computer."
"AI Mode allows you to ask longer, more complex questions and get a helpful AI response, with the ability to easily ask follow up questions and dive deeper on the web. This update will be rolling out later this month in English in the U.S. and expanding to more countries and languages in the weeks ahead."
7. Contextual Page Intelligence
"You can now ask questions about the entire page you're on right from the omnibox. Chrome can suggest relevant questions based on the context of the page to help you kickstart your search."
Google provides a perfect example: "If you're shopping for a mattress, the omnibox might suggest follow-ups searches like 'what's the warranty policy?' This makes getting information from the Chrome omnibox simpler than ever before."
8. Advanced Scam Detection
Security gets an AI upgrade with Gemini Nano. "Safe Browsing's Enhanced Protection mode already uses Gemini Nano to help identify tech support scams that try to trick you into downloading harmful software. Soon, we'll be expanding this protection to also stop sites that use fake viruses or fake giveaways to trick you."
This represents Google's commitment to "continuing to expand the way we use AI to keep you protected."
9. Smart Notification and Permission Management
Say goodbye to annoying interruptions. "Chrome now detects potentially spammy or scammy notifications and gives you the option of seeing them or unsubscribing. Since rolling out this feature, we've reduced unwanted website notifications for Chrome on Android users by around 3 billion each day."
The AI also gets smarter about permissions: "Chrome now uses AI to learn your preferences and to take into account signals like site quality. When it determines you're unlikely to grant them, it will present permissions requests in a less intrusive way."
10. One-Click Password Security
The future of password management is here. "Very soon it'll use AI as a password agent to go a step further, letting you change your saved passwords with a single click on supported sites, like Coursera, Spotify, Duolingo, H&M and more."
This builds on Chrome's existing capability to "automatically and securely fills in your login credentials and proactively alerts you if any of your passwords are compromised."
For now, this update is rolling out for users in the US, with a few features available in a few weeks.
