Google Launches New Windows and Mac Apps
▼ Summary
– Google has officially released a new desktop search app for Windows, which was previously in a beta testing phase.
– For Apple users, Google has widely released a native Gemini app for macOS with the same features as its web interface.
– The Windows app can be opened instantly with the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space, presenting a compact, floating search interface.
– This app allows users to search both the web and, with permission, their local PC files and applications.
– Web results in the app include features like AI Overviews and AI Mode, matching the experience found in a browser.
While many users rely on a web browser to access Google’s services, the company is now offering dedicated desktop applications. Google has officially launched its Google app for desktop on Windows, moving it out of beta testing. Simultaneously, for Mac users, Google has released a native Gemini app, providing a full-featured desktop experience for its AI assistant.
The Windows application has been in development for several months, with an initial beta appearing last September. Early versions were reportedly unstable, even lacking a proper update mechanism that required manual reinstallation. The official release resolves these issues, delivering a stable platform that integrates web and local search functions directly into the Windows operating system.
A key feature of the new Windows app is its instant access search UI. By pressing a simple keyboard shortcut, Alt + Space, users can summon a compact search bar that floats above all other windows. This allows for immediate queries, whether searching the web or, with proper user permissions, scanning local files and applications. Web results mirror the familiar browser experience, complete with features like AI Overviews and the option to switch into AI Mode for more conversational interactions.
For Apple’s ecosystem, the focus has been on Gemini. The new Mac application provides all the capabilities found in the Gemini web interface but packaged as a standalone desktop program. This move gives Mac users a dedicated portal for engaging with Google’s advanced AI, streamlining access without needing to open a browser tab.
(Source: Ars Technica)
