Popular Google Search feature enjoyed by Android users to become accessible on desktops
Google's AI Mode in Search is revolutionizing the way users study and research on desktop browsers. This innovative feature allows students to interact directly with course materials like images and PDFs, making learning more accessible and efficient.
Enhanced Image and PDF Queries
Users can now upload images or PDF files to ask questions and receive detailed, AI-generated explanations tailored to those documents. PDF upload support is soon to be launched, with future updates to support files from Google Drive as well.
Canvas Feature
The Canvas feature, a digital workspace, is designed to help users plan and organize their study materials. It allows users to build interactive study plans or projects, with AI dynamically updating recommendations and summaries in a side panel. Users can modify their plans on the fly, pull in files, and pick up where they left off later.
Search Live with Video Input
Google is also introducing Search Live with video input, transforming mobile devices into live tutors. Users can point their camera at something confusing, and Search will provide helpful information in real-time, offering interactive explanations or clarifications during study sessions, especially useful for diagrams or physical content.
AI Mode on Mobile Extended to Desktop
AI Mode, which already enables users to ask about images on mobile devices, is now being extended to desktop browsers. This means users can get straight answers with links if they want to dive deeper into a topic.
Google Drive Support and Canvas Side Panel
Google Drive support is coming to AI Mode, making it easier to access files from Google Drive without digging through folders. Additionally, a new side panel called Canvas is being introduced, which will help users map out study plans, group work, or even vacations with the assistance of AI.
Availability and Access
The new features are currently limited to users in the Labs experiment in the U.S., and they're only available on mobile devices. However, the Canvas side panel is available on desktop browsers. The "Create Canvas" button is only visible to users participating in the Labs experiment.
Powering the Features
These tools are powered by Google Lens and Project Astra technology, providing users with a comprehensive and contextualized learning experience. Google Chrome is also getting a new way to invoke Lens on the desktop with "Ask Google about this page." This feature, when clicked from the address bar while viewing a website or PDF, launches AI Overviews, providing more insights on the page in question.
In conclusion, Google's AI Mode in Search on desktop browsers is set to greatly enhance studying and research by providing users with an interactive research assistant. This assistant makes it easier for students to understand complex subjects, organize information efficiently, and receive up-to-date, contextualized AI support during their studies.
[1] https://ai.google/research/products/ai-mode [2] https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/20/22740974/google-ai-mode-search-live-video-input-lens-project-astra-labs [3] https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-ai-mode-search-feature-aims-to-make-it-easier-to-learn-and-study [4] https://9to5google.com/2021/10/19/google-ai-mode-search-canvas-side-panel/
- By leveraging Google Lens and Project Astra technology, the digital workspace Canvas in AI Mode allows users to create and organize their study materials, getting AI-generated recommendations and summaries within a side panel.
- With the extended AI Mode on desktop browsers, users can now ask detailed questions about images and receive AI-generated explanations tailored to the documents, whether they are uploaded or from Google Drive, making learning even more efficient.
