Chrome could be getting a massive AI upgrade if this rumor is true
There’s a rumor going around that Google is working on merging Gemini Live with Chrome under the on-the-nose codename Glic, Gemini Live in Chrome. Shared on Leopeva64’s
Based on what Leopeva64 shared, Glic appears to be more than just a Chrome feature. It has its own settings page and needs access to your microphone and location – two big clues that it’s some sort of interactive assistant. There’s also talk of a floating panel or side UI that can provide context about the page you’re on. Add the hints about a system tray icon and it seems like Glic is running quietly in the background, ready to jump in when you need help.
If you’ve ever used Google’s Gemini AI, you know it’s a pretty powerful tool. Imagine such an assistant baked right into Chrome. You don’t have to switch between tabs to search; you can simply ask Gemini Live to explain things, explore data, or summarize entire web pages. Complicated recipes can be simplified and even your online purchases can be handled.
There is also a way to get creative with the integration. Imagine: you write an email and Gemini Live helps you adjust the tone. Or you read a thick legal document and the jargon is presented in plain English. That’s the kind of real-world “make my life easier” functionality that could set this apart from competitors like Microsoft’s Bing Chat in Edge or even standalone tools like ChatGPT.
Over a month ago I saw Google working on a new feature for Chrome codenamed “Glic”, which could be Gemini Live in Chrome. This feature will have its own page in Settings with different options, here’s a first look at this new page :https://t.co/fXROn0vvW9 pic.twitter.com/5CTRcaGtRZDecember 23, 2024
Glic to the future
To be fair, Google isn’t the first to try this kind of thing. Microsoft has already integrated Bing Chat into Edge, but let’s be honest: Edge doesn’t exactly have Chrome’s massive user base. Still, it shows how AI can improve a browser without taking over. On the other hand, Apple has been much more conservative, keeping Siri and AI features largely within its ecosystem rather than integrating them into Safari. It’s a safer, less invasive approach, but perhaps a little too cautious for Google’s taste.
What makes Glic so different is the scale. Chrome is the world’s most popular browser, and the introduction of Gemini Live here could make AI support a universal experience beyond any niche audience. Of course, a misstep here could trigger a backlash. Just think of the fuss over changes to YouTube or Gmail when Google changes something that users don’t like.
For now, Glic is still a mystery, but if Google gets this right, it could set a new standard for what a browser can do. And if that’s not the case? Well, I guess there’s always Firefox.