AI is touching every aspect of the online world including browsers. Google has recently announced the introduction of some interesting AI features into its Chrome browser which will make your browsing much more easier and practical. Below is a quick overview of these features together with suggestions on how to use them. Keep in mind that these features are rolling out gradually!
1. Google Lens for desktop
This feature integrates visual search capabilities directly into the Chrome browser on desktop computers. Users can activate Google Lens by clicking an icon in the address bar or accessing it through the right-click menu. They can then select any image, text, or part of a webpage to initiate a visual search. The results appear in a side panel, allowing users to stay on their current page while exploring related information.
There are various ways students can use Google Lens including:
- Quickly identify plants, animals, or historical artifacts in images for biology or history projects
- Search for additional information about diagrams or illustrations in textbooks
- Find similar images or artworks for visual arts assignments
- Translate text from images in foreign language materials
- Practice pronunciation by selecting foreign text and hearing it spoken
- Select complex equations or diagrams to find explanations or step-by-step solutions
- Identify chemical structures or geological formations in images
- Look up unfamiliar words or concepts encountered in digital texts
- Find additional context for historical events or literary references
Here are some ways teachers can use Google Lens:
- Quickly find relevant images and information to enhance presentations and handouts
- Verify the accuracy of visual content in educational materials
- Use Google Lens during live lessons to provide impromptu visual searches and explanations
- Show students how to critically analyze images by demonstrating visual search techniques
- Create scavenger hunt-style assignments where students use Google Lens to identify objects or solve clues
- Develop visual literacy exercises that require students to use multisearch for deeper analysis
- Help visually impaired students by using Google Lens to read aloud text from images or describe visual content
- Use Google Lens to quickly research unfamiliar concepts or terminology encountered in educational literature or conferences
- Introduce students to different cultures by using Google Lens to translate and explore foreign language texts or identify cultural artifacts.
2. Tab compare
Tab compare is another new AI feature that is especially helpful for online shopping. When a user has multiple tabs open with different products, Chrome can now automatically generate a comprehensive comparison table. This table consolidates crucial information such as specifications, features, prices, and user ratings from across the open tabs, presenting it in a single, easy-to-read format.
You will no longer need to constantly switch between tabs and manually track information, Tab compare significantly reduces the cognitive load on shoppers, allowing for more efficient and informed decision-making.
Related: Best AI Chrome Extensions for Teachers and Students
3. Improved browsing history search
This AI feature allows users to search their browsing history using natural language queries. For instance, you might ask, “What was that recipe website I visited last month with the vegetarian lasagna?” Chrome’s AI would then analyze your browsing history, considering factors like timing, content relevance, and user behavior patterns to present the most likely matches. This approach not only saves time but also makes it easier for you to rediscover valuable information you’ve encountered online.
The implications of this feature extend far beyond simple convenience. For students and professionals, it can be a powerful tool for research and project management. Imagine a journalist working on a long-term investigative piece asking, “Show me all the government websites I visited while researching climate policy last quarter.” The AI could compile a comprehensive list, potentially uncovering connections or sources the journalist might have forgotten.
Similarly, a designer could easily recall inspiration sources by asking about specific visual elements they remember seeing. By making our vast digital histories more accessible and useful, this feature has the potential to enhance productivity, creativity, and information retrieval in numerous fields.This feature is optional and can be turned on or off in settings.
Source: Google Blog
