Google has officially unveiled a massive overhaul of its Chrome browser, integrating its most advanced Gemini 3 model to turn the world’s most popular browser into a proactive AI assistant.
This update, rolling out for MacOS, Windows, and Chromebook Plus, introduces “agentic” capabilities that allow the browser to perform complex, multi-step tasks on behalf of the user.
Vice President at Chrome, Paris Tabriz noted the headline of this update is the permanent integration of Gemini into a new side panel.
“Unlike previous versions where AI felt like a separate tab, Gemini now lives alongside your active browsing window,” Ms Tabriz noted.
She further stated the new side panel experience reimagines multitasking by allowing users to keep their primary work front and center while the Gemini assistant handles secondary tasks in parallel.
“This persistent sidebar eliminates the friction of tab-switching, enabling users to summarize product reviews, compare options across dozens of open tabs, or organize chaotic calendars without losing their place. Because the assistant is built with deep contextual awareness, it inherently understands the content of your active window, providing relevant insights and support instantly without the need for tedious copying and pasting.”
For Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., the new auto browse feature represents a major leap from basic autofill to true agentic action.
This tool is designed to take over time-consuming “digital chores” by navigating complex, multi-step workflows on your behalf.
Whether it’s researching hotel and flight costs across various dates to find the best deal, filling out tedious government forms, or filing expense reports, auto browse handles the heavy lifting so users can focus on more important tasks.
The power of this feature is further amplified by its multimodal capabilities and the new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).
In shopping scenarios, auto browse can analyze an inspiration photo, identify specific items, and automatically find and add similar products to a cart while staying within a set budget.
Developed alongside industry leaders like Shopify and Etsy, this open standard ensures that Gemini can interact seamlessly across various retail platforms, transforming Chrome from a simple window into the web into a proactive personal shopper and administrative assistant
Google further announced it is also bringing Nano Banana, its latest creative AI model, directly into the browser.
“No need for downloading and re-uploading; Gemini in Chrome uses Nano Banana to transform images in your current browser window.”
By typing a prompt in the side panel, users can modify images they see on the web—for example, redesigning a living room based on a photo or turning research data into a high-fidelity infographic instantly.
The update deepens the bond between Chrome and the broader Google ecosystem through Connected Apps. Gemini can now dig through your Gmail for event details, cross-reference Google Flights, and draft update emails to colleagues—all from the side panel.
In the coming months, Google will also launch Personal Intelligence in Chrome. This feature allows the browser to remember context from past conversations to provide tailored, proactive help.
To address privacy concerns, Google emphasized that these features are opt-in. For sensitive actions, such as making a purchase or posting to social media, auto browse is designed to pause and explicitly ask for human confirmation.
| Feature | Availability | Best For |
| Gemini Side Panel | All Users | Multitasking & Summarization |
| Nano Banana | All Users | Instant Image Editing |
| Auto Browse | Pro/Ultra Subscribers | Complex Workflows & Shopping |
| Connected Apps | All Users (Opt-in) | Cross-App Productivity |