Google announced that the Gemini smart assistant feature, which was originally only available to users who subscribed to AI Pro or AI Ultra, is now fully open to all Chrome desktop browser users in the United States for free use. It supports Windows and Mac versions respectively, but the Chrome browser language must be set to English.
If the usage location is within the United States and the language is set to English, you can see a new "flash" icon representing the AI function in the upper right corner of the Chrome browser. Click it to summon Gemini and you can directly give commands to communicate with the AI.
This update further integrates Gemini into the Chrome browser, allowing users to organize and compare information across tabs and adding a new browsing history recall feature. If users forget what they read, they can simply type in a query like, "Where's that back-to-school shopping list blog I read before?" and Gemini will automatically find the corresponding page in their browsing history, eliminating the need for manual searching.
In addition to cross-tab and history review, Google has also integrated Gemini more closely with its own services, including Google Calendar, YouTube, and Google Maps. For example, you can use Gemini to schedule meetings directly or automatically generate time stamps for long YouTube videos for quick jumps.
Google also revealed that Chrome's built-in security features have begun to be integrated into Gemini Nano, helping to identify phishing websites and fake virus warning pages. It can also learn user permission preferences, presenting unlikely requests (such as camera and location access) in a less intrusive manner. Furthermore, Gemini can also assist in automatically updating passwords, initially supporting services such as Coursera, Duolingo, and Spotify, allowing users to change passwords with just one click.
In the coming months, Google plans to add more advanced "agentic" capabilities to Gemini, allowing AI to complete various online tasks on behalf of users, such as completing weekly shopping lists through Instacart.
The prototype of this feature is expected to be available by the end of 2024.Project MarinerIt was first unveiled in code-name form, but is now the official version and is moving towards practical application.
Mike Torres, vice president of product at Google Chrome, stressed that the team is ensuring that this feature is mature and stable to avoid users being stuck with unfinished tasks.
Finally, Google has also placed the "AI Mode" function shortcut directly into the Chrome address bar, allowing users to quickly activate it without having to open the Google search page first. These features will be pushed in stages and it may take several days to fully update to all devices.
The full opening of Gemini means that Google is transforming AI from an "optional feature" to a "core experience," making the Chrome browser even more intelligent.
