Google Brings Gemini in Chrome to US Users, Unveils Agentic Browsing Capabilities, and More

Google announced Thursday that it is rolling out Gemini in Chrome to all Mac and Windows desktop users in the U.S., after previously limiting the capability to Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers. The tech giant also revealed plans to introduce agentic capabilities to Chrome, including its AI Mode search feature in the address bar, new Gemini features, using AI to combat AI-generated scams, and rolling out automatic password resets, among other initiatives.

U.S. users with their language set to English can now ask Gemini to clarify complex information on any webpage they’re reading using the Gemini icon in the top-right corner of their Chrome window. For instance, a user could open a page with a banana bread recipe and ask Gemini to make it gluten-free.

Gemini can now work across multiple tabs, allowing users to compare and summarise information across various websites. For example, users planning a trip can organise flight, hotel, and vacation details across multiple tabs with Gemini, or compare different mattress models while shopping online.

Gemini will soon be able to retrieve previously visited web pages, making it easier to return to past browsing sessions without digging through browser history. Users could ask questions like, “On which site did I see the walnut desk last week?” or “What was that blog I read on back-to-school shopping?”

Additionally, Google is introducing deeper integration between Gemini in Chrome and other Google apps, such as Calendar, YouTube, and Maps. This will allow users to schedule meetings, view location details, and perform other tasks without leaving the page. For example, users can ask Gemini to take them to a specific moment in a YouTube video.

Google notes that the AI assistant will also be able to complete tedious tasks, like booking a haircut or ordering weekly groceries. Gemini will navigate to the site, add items to the cart, and let users complete the checkout using their payment option.

The new agentic capabilities will arrive in Chrome in the coming months. It’s worth noting that OpenAI launched Operator, an AI agent capable of performing tasks autonomously, earlier this year.

Google is also bringing AI Mode, its advanced search feature, directly into the Chrome address bar. Users can ask complex questions with follow-ups to dig deeper into topics. For example, instead of simply searching for “best mattress,” users could type, “I’m a side sleeper with occasional lower back pain, make me a table comparing different mattress types,” and continue with follow-up queries like, “How long do memory foam mattresses typically last?”

This update will be rolled out later this month in English in the U.S., with plans to expand to additional countries and languages in the future.

Also coming to the address bar is the ability to ask questions about the page you’re on. Chrome can now suggest relevant questions based on the page context to kickstart searches. Users will receive an AI Overview and the option to ask follow-up questions with AI Mode.

Google says Chrome will soon use its Gemini Nano model to detect and protect against scams, including fake virus alerts and fraudulent giveaways. These scams often impersonate trusted brands and leverage generative AI to create convincing phishing attempts.

Additionally, Google is utilising AI to assist users in fixing compromised passwords with a single click on supported sites, including Coursera, Spotify, Duolingo, H&M, and more. If Chrome detects that a password was exposed in a data breach, users can allow it to create and save a new password automatically.