New Enhancements: Lens for Desktop, Tab Compare, and AI-Driven Search History
Google has announced the rollout of new Gemini-powered features for the desktop version of Chrome, enhancing the browser’s capabilities with tools like Google Lens, tab compare for shopping assistance, and natural language integration for search history.
Google Lens Comes to Desktop
After years of success on mobile, Google Lens is finally making its way to the desktop. Rolling out globally in the coming days, Lens will be accessible from the address bar and the three-dot menu. Users can select parts of a page and ask questions to receive relevant search results. This includes tapping on objects in images, such as a backpack, to find similar items in different colors or brands. Depending on the query, users may also receive AI Overviews in their search results.
Lens will offer more than just shopping capabilities. Users can inquire about various topics, such as the sunlight requirements for plants or help with math equations.
Introducing Tab Compare for Enhanced Shopping
Chrome’s new Tab Compare feature is designed to simplify shopping by providing AI-powered summaries of similar items across different tabs. For example, when searching for a new Bluetooth speaker, users will see product specs, features, prices, and ratings consolidated in one place, even if these details are spread across multiple pages.
AI-Driven Natural Language Search for Browsing History
One of the most practical updates is the integration of natural language queries for searching browsing history. Users can now search their history using queries like, “What was that ice cream shop I looked at last week?” Google uses a combination of URL, title, and page content to generate search results. This AI-powered history search will be an opt-in feature for U.S. users, rolling out in the coming weeks.
Google assures users that the data used for history search is not employed to train Gemini and will not include information from incognito sessions. Currently, Google processes these AI-powered searches using cloud capacity rather than locally.
Previous AI Enhancements
Earlier this year, Google introduced various AI-powered features, including a writing assistant, tab organizer, and theme creator. In May, the company added functionality to interact with the Gemini chatbot directly from the address bar.
These new features represent Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and provide more intuitive and powerful tools within Chrome.