Google’s new AI app searches ‘anything,’ including your PC
Google said on Tuesday that it is testing a new experimental research application for Windows that will search for your PC and the web, applying Google Lens if necessary.
Google has classified its new application as an “experience”, relegating it to its Labs program for the moment. The application is simply called “Google App for Windows” and was explained in a blog article on the Google website.
“You can now search without changing windows or interrupting your flow,” said Google. “Whether you write in a document or in the middle of a game, simply press Alt + Space to instantly search for information from your computer files, installed applications, Google Drive files – and of course, the web.”
Interestingly, Google did not mark the research application as a “gemini” project, the name associated with its AI efforts. However, the application certainly blurs the boundaries between traditional research and AI.
From the research point of view, Google promises that all the results you ask will come from the web, from your local files, as well as any file that you may have connected via Google Drive – even local applications. It is not clear, however, if this new research application will surface the results written by Google Meet or even third-party applications like Slack, or if they will simply be files associated with the keyword you are looking for.
Google provided a small example below:
The new research application also has an IA element: Google promises that you can allow the new research application to “see” what is displayed on the screen and to request prompts of research questions to explain it more. This is certainly closer to what Google has shown in its Gemini application, or what Microsoft allows you to do via Copilot or the integrated version in its Microsoft 365 (Office) applications.
Finally, Google also promises that you can activate AI mode in this search application, if you want its AI capabilities to take over.
To try it, you will have to be part of the Google Labs program and download the application for the Windows 10 or Windows 11 account on your personal account – no workspace -. It is only available for American users and the space is limited, said Google.
