How-To: Use New Gemini Button in Chrome Top Bar
The wait is over! Google has just rolled out a major update with the Gemini 3 release, fundamentally changing how we interact with the web. The most visible change? A dedicated Gemini button is now embedded directly in the top bar of your Chrome browser, turning it into your always-on AI browsing assistant. Graphic 1: The New Gemini Button The first thing you'll notice is the new icon on the right side of the top bar, next to your profile and other extensions. - Before: Using AI while browsing meant copying text, opening a new tab, pasting, and prompting. - Now: The single Gemini in Chrome button gives you one-click access to Google's most powerful AI model, making the process seamless. Graphic 2: The Contextual Dialogue Box When you click the button, a side panel slides out, presenting a clean, focused dialogue box for your prompt. This panel is the heart of the new integration. - Context-Aware Help: This is the game-changer. By default, the panel is aware of the content on your active tab (you'll see a small note confirming this). This means you can ask it to: - Multi-Tab Intelligence: Even better, you can ask Gemini to work across multiple open tabs simultaneously—perfect for comparing product reviews, consolidating research, or planning a trip from several sites! Graphic 3: Set Preferences - Go to Settings - Then AI Innovations - Then Gemini in Chrome to set preferences This will let you hide the Gemini button in the top bar or tray. ❓Where is this going? In the coming months, Google plans to expand its agentic capabilities to let Gemini in Chrome perform tasks on your behalf, such as: - Booking appointments. - Ordering groceries. - Automating password changes on supported sites. This feature is rolling out to Mac and Windows desktop users first, with more regions and languages to follow.