Google is doubling down on its artificial intelligence ambitions inside Chrome, introducing a series of new AI-powered features designed to make browsing more innovative and more personalised. The update adds a Gemini sidebar, auto-browse capabilities, and new tools that integrate Google’s services into a single, seamless experience.
The rollout comes at a time when AI-driven browsers from OpenAI, Perplexity, Opera, and The Browser Company are challenging Chrome’s dominance. With these upgrades, Google is signalling that it’s ready to take the competition head-on.
Gemini sidebar expands AI assistance across devices
Last year, Google introduced Gemini in Chrome as a floating assistant. With the latest update, Gemini now lives in a persistent sidebar, allowing users to ask questions about the current page, other open tabs, or even topics related to ongoing searches.
A notable improvement is Gemini’s ability to group tabs contextually, for instance, when users open several pages. At the same time, when comparing products or researching, the assistant automatically recognises them as a single topic cluster. This streamlines multitasking and boosts browsing efficiency.
Initially available on Windows and macOS, the sidebar is now expanding to the Chromebook Plus, extending Gemini’s reach across Google’s hardware ecosystem.
Another addition is Nano Banana, a creative new integration that lets users edit or replace images directly within Chrome, for example, swapping a product in a photo with another found online, without leaving the browser.
Auto-browse and Personal Intelligence take Chrome to the next level
Alongside the Gemini sidebar, Google is preparing to launch its personal intelligence feature, a tool that connects Chrome with Gmail, YouTube, Search, and Google Photos. This will let users ask Gemini for personalised answers drawn from their own data, such as checking family schedules or composing and sending emails without leaving the browser.
The most ambitious update, however, is auto-browse, a new capability that allows Gemini to perform tasks across websites. Users can ask the assistant to visit a site, fill out forms, find discounts, or even complete purchases, all while keeping sensitive data secure.
Google has clarified that the AI will not directly access passwords or card details stored in Chrome. Instead, it uses the browser’s built-in password manager for authentication and seeks user confirmation before performing sensitive actions.
The auto-browse feature is currently available to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States, with plans to expand globally later this year.
Google says early testers have used it for tasks such as scheduling appointments, filing expense reports, collecting tax documents, and obtaining quotes from service providers.
Despite its promise, browser-based AI agents still face challenges, often struggling to interpret complex commands or maintain context across multiple sites. Google hopes this new integration will finally make AI assistance a natural part of everyday browsing.
Next up: Aluminium OS could replace Chrome OS.
Beyond Chrome, Google’s software ambitions appear to be expanding. Reports suggest the company is developing a new operating system called Aluminium OS, which could eventually replace ChromeOS on Chromebooks.
First revealed by 9to5Google through a Google bug report, Aluminium OS combines the best elements of ChromeOS and Android, possibly building on the Android 16 framework. The leaked materials included images of a redesigned interface running on an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5-inch Chromebook, hinting at a more unified, cross-device platform.
One significant change seems to be the deep integration of Gemini AI, which appeared at the top of the pre-installed apps list in the leaked build. This suggests that AI assistance could be baked directly into the operating system, rather than existing as a browser-based feature.
Unlike Chrome OS, which primarily supports Chromebooks, Aluminium OS may power a broader range of devices, including tablets, smartwatches, and other hardware from my Google’s partners.
If these reports prove accurate, Aluminium OS could mark a pivotal shift, transforming Google’s ecosystem into a single, AI-centred operating environment that blurs the line between desktop and mobile computing.
