Google adds 'auto-browsing' feature to Chrome

Google is rolling out a new automated browsing feature in Chrome that can perform multi-step tasks on your behalf. The Gemini-powered capability will initially be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US, and will allow you to research hotel and flight prices, book appointments, fill out online forms, manage subscriptions, and more.

The update further expands Gemini's role in Chrome. It initially served as an assistant that answered questions and summarized the content of web pages you were reading. Google later added product comparisons across tabs, recalling previously visited pages from your browsing history, and hinted that Gemini would also be able to perform "overdue tasks."

According to Google, when using the auto-browsing feature, Gemini can identify decorative elements in a photo, find similar products online, add them to your cart, apply discount codes, and stay within your budget. If the task requires you to log in to your account, it can also use the browser's password manager.

With this change, Google has moved Gemini in Chrome from a pop-up window to a side panel docked on the right side of the screen. It now supports integrations with Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Google Shopping, and Google Flights for all users, allowing Gemini to access data from different apps and perform actions within them.

“For example, if you’re going to a conference and need to book a flight, Gemini can find old emails with event details, use context from Google Flights to make recommendations, and then prepare an email to your colleagues later with your arrival time,” Google says.

Gemini in Chrome uses Nano Banana to edit images on your screen. Google's AI-powered image generation and editing tool is now included in the new sidebar, allowing you to edit images directly in the browser window using text commands. The feature will be available to all Gemini users in Chrome.

Google has more plans for Gemini in Chrome in the future, as it aims to compete with other “agent” browsers like OpenAI’s Atlas and Perplexity’s Comet. The “personal intelligence” feature, currently available as an optional feature in the Gemini app, allows you to reference past conversations and analyze data from Gmail, Calendar, Photos, and search history. Google says it will bring the feature to Chrome in the “coming months.”