Chrome now enables direct use of Gemini in the browser with “@chat with Gemini”, mirroring the capability that Edge has offered from the outset with its Copilot feature.
In early February 2024, Google renamed Bard to Gemini and launched its mobile app, intended as a replacement for Assistant. Initially, this app was only accessible in the US, but its availability soon extended to Europe and Asia. However, many countries, including Canada, did not have access to the Gemini mobile app. This is now changing as Google is rolling out the Gemini app to over 100 countries globally.
@chat with Gemini brings users one step closer to AI
This broader availability eliminates the need for users to sideload the Gemini app on their Android devices; it can now be directly downloaded from the Google Play Store. After downloading, users can set up Gemini in place of Google Assistant to experience the latest AI-driven chatbot from the company. It’s important to note, however, that certain limitations persist: the app remains incompatible for users with the Gemini for Workspace add-on, and it cannot be accessed within the Android Work Profile.
For iPhone users, access to Gemini will be provided directly via the Google app, with the rollout scheduled to occur “over the next couple of weeks.”
Google is broadening the reach of Gemini Extensions to encompass all languages and countries where the chatbot is available. This enhancement enables users to utilize Extensions to retrieve pertinent information from various Google services, such as Drive, Gmail, YouTube, among others. Additionally, the chatbot now supports nine new languages, including Japanese and Korean, with a comprehensive list of supported languages available for reference.
How to use Gemini directly on Chrome?
Google has simplified the process of accessing Gemini from Chrome on a PC. Users can now activate the chatbot by entering “@gemini” into Chrome’s Omnibox, followed by their query, and pressing enter. This action will open Gemini on the web, displaying the answer to the inquiry. This functionality was initially observed during tests in Chrome Canary in mid-April. As the rollout has just begun, some users may not immediately be able to activate Gemini from Chrome’s address bar on their PC.
To quickly initiate a conversation with Gemini using the new Chrome desktop shortcut, follow these steps:
- Type “@” in the desktop address bar and select “Chat with Gemini.”
- Enter your prompt.
- Receive your response at http://gemini.google.com.
This enhancement follows closely on the heels of Google’s recent announcement about integrating advanced machine learning models into Chrome’s address bar to enhance suggestion quality. For frequent users of Gemini, this integration into Chrome’s address bar is likely to significantly streamline their workflow.
Featured image credit: Growtika
