Tag: Chrome

Tech Tip : Protect Chrome Autofill With Windows Hello

Posted on by Paul Stradling

If you save personal information in Google Chrome to speed up completing online forms, you can now require Windows Hello verification before Chrome autofills it, helping prevent anyone else using your PC from accessing your saved details.

Why It Works

Chrome’s Enhanced Autofill can now securely store more types of personal information, including your home address, phone number, date of birth and payment details, making it much quicker to complete online forms. By turning on “Verify it’s you when filling sensitive info”, Chrome will ask for your Windows Hello fingerprint, face recognition or PIN before autofilling sensitive information, even if your browser is already open.

How To Turn It On

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
  3. Go to Autofill and passwords > Autofill settings.
  4. Turn on Verify it’s you when filling sensitive info.

The next time Chrome autofills sensitive information, you’ll first be prompted to verify your identity using Windows Hello or your Windows sign-in method.

Why It Matters

This simple setting adds an extra layer of security with very little inconvenience, making it much harder for anyone else using your computer to view or autofill your saved personal information while still keeping the convenience of Chrome’s Autofill feature.

Use Chrome To Send Someone Directly To The Important Part Of A Web Page

Posted on by Paul Stradling

If you need to share a particular sentence or paragraph from a long web page, Google Chrome can create a link that takes the recipient directly to that section and highlights the relevant text.

This is useful for sharing technical instructions, online guidance, policies, supplier terms or lengthy articles without making the recipient search through the entire page.

How To Create A Link To Highlighted Text

On a computer:

– Open the relevant web page in Chrome.

– Highlight the exact text you want to share.

– Right-click the highlighted text.

– Select Copy link to highlight.

– Paste the link into an email, Teams message or document.

When the recipient opens the link in a compatible browser, the page should open at the relevant section with the selected text highlighted.

Why This Is Useful

Ordinary web links usually take someone to the top of a page, leaving them to find the relevant information themselves. Copy link to highlight makes sharing more precise by taking them straight to an important paragraph, instruction, clause or other piece of information.

One Thing To Be Aware Of

The feature may not work with all selected content. If the option is unavailable or the link doesn’t work as expected, send the normal page link and explain where the relevant section appears.

This simple Chrome feature can save time, reduce confusion and make it easier to direct colleagues and customers to the exact information they need.

Tech Tip : Use Google Lens In Chrome To Copy Text From Images And Screenshots

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Google Lens in Chrome can help you copy text, read handwriting, translate text, and pull useful details from images, screenshots, and visible document pages without typing everything out manually.

Why It Works

Instead of retyping information from a screenshot, product label, scanned document, image, or visible PDF page, Google Lens can analyse what is shown on screen and make the text easier to copy, search, or translate.

This can save time for office staff, finance teams, support teams, sales staff, and business owners who regularly work with screenshots, scanned paperwork, supplier documents, product photos, invoices, delivery notes, or customer emails and need to quickly copy information without retyping it manually

How To Use It

– Open Google Chrome on your computer.

– Find the image, screenshot, web page, or visible document page you want to check.

– Right-click on the image and choose “Search image with Google Lens”.

– If you are not right-clicking directly on an image, right-click on the page and choose “Search with Google Lens”, then drag over the area you want Google Lens to analyse.

– When the Google Lens panel opens, look for options such as Search, Text, or Translate.

– Use Text to select and copy words, numbers, paragraphs, codes, or references from the image.

– Use Translate to translate visible text into another language.

– Paste the copied text into an email, document, spreadsheet, ticket, CRM note, or wherever you need it.

This is especially useful when working with screenshots, scanned information, product photos, foreign-language documents, or PDF pages viewed in Chrome (although it shouldn’t be treated as a full replacement for a dedicated PDF or OCR tool).

Company Check : Chrome AI Model Download Raises User Control Questions

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Reports that Google Chrome may download a multi-gigabyte AI model onto some desktop computers without many users realising it have sparked debate about transparency, storage use, privacy, and how AI features are increasingly being embedded into everyday software.

How The Controversy Started

The issue emerged after privacy researcher Alexander Hanff published a detailed blog post claiming that Chrome had silently downloaded a file called weights.bin onto his system as part of Google’s Gemini Nano on-device AI system.

According to Hanff, the file appeared inside a folder named OptGuideOnDeviceModel and occupied around 4GB of storage space. He claimed Chrome downloaded the model automatically in the background and that manually deleting the file caused it to reappear later after Chrome re-downloaded it.

The story quickly attracted wider attention, leading to other users reporting that they had discovered large unexplained files linked to Chrome installations.

Importantly, there is currently no evidence that the file is malicious software or spyware. The debate instead centres on whether users were given enough visibility and control over what was being installed and why.

What The File Actually Does

The file is understood to contain Google’s Gemini Nano model, a smaller local version of its Gemini AI system designed to run directly on devices rather than entirely in the cloud.

Google has increasingly been building AI capabilities into Chrome, including scam detection tools, writing assistance, summarisation features, developer APIs, and other AI-assisted functions. Running some of these tools locally can reduce latency and limit the amount of information sent back to remote servers.

In a statement from Google, reported by Android Authority, the company said: “We’ve offered Gemini Nano for Chrome since 2024 as a lightweight, on-device model. It powers important security capabilities like scam detection and developer APIs without sending your data to the cloud.”

Google also stated that the model is designed to uninstall automatically if a device is low on resources, and that it has started rolling out settings allowing users to disable and remove the model more easily.

Why Some Users Are Concerned

Much of the concern is not about AI itself, but about how these features are being deployed.

Many users appear to have been unaware that Chrome could download several gigabytes of AI model data in the background, particularly on systems where storage space, bandwidth, or battery life may already be constrained. Some users also questioned whether these features should be enabled automatically rather than introduced through a clearer opt-in process.

Hanff’s blog post went much further, arguing that large-scale AI downloads could carry environmental implications when multiplied across potentially hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. His article also raised legal and regulatory questions under European privacy law, although those claims have not been tested in court and Google has not publicly responded directly to the legal allegations.

The broader issue reflects growing public unease around how AI is increasingly becoming embedded inside familiar products, often with little visibility into what is running locally, what data may be processed, and how much system resource is being consumed.

Why Google Is Pushing AI Into Chrome

It should be noted here that Google is certainly not alone in embedding local AI models into consumer software.

For example, Microsoft has added AI assistants and local AI features into Windows and Office. Apple is expanding on-device AI processing across macOS and iOS. Also, Meta is building AI tools directly into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Browser makers and operating system vendors increasingly view AI as a core platform feature rather than a standalone application.

It’s also worth noting here that local AI processing can offer some genuine advantages. For example, keeping certain AI functions on-device rather than constantly sending data to cloud servers can improve response times, reduce some privacy risks, and allow features to continue working offline.

That said, this has created a new challenge for software vendors because AI models are often large, resource-intensive, and not always obvious to ordinary users.

The debate around Chrome highlights how software expectations are changing. Browsers are no longer simply lightweight web access tools. They are increasingly becoming AI-enabled operating environments running sophisticated local models behind the scenes.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For UK businesses, the issue is less about the AI model itself and more about whether organisations have enough visibility and control over the growing number of AI features now being built into everyday software.

Organisations should review which AI features are enabled across browsers and workplace devices, particularly in managed IT environments where storage, performance, bandwidth usage, and data handling policies matter. IT teams may also want to assess whether local AI models are necessary on all devices or whether some features should be disabled through enterprise policy controls.

The story also highlights a wider challenge facing businesses as AI becomes embedded into mainstream software products. Features that were once optional add-ons are increasingly arriving automatically through standard updates, making it harder for organisations to fully understand what software is doing behind the scenes.

Businesses that maintain clear software governance, strong endpoint management, and active oversight of AI-related features will be better placed to balance the potential benefits of AI against the operational, security, privacy, and compliance risks that increasingly come with it.

Tech Tip : Use Chrome Reading Mode To Remove Clutter And Listen Aloud

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Google Chrome’s built-in Reading Mode can turn busy web pages into a clean, distraction-free reading view, making it easier to focus on important information without adverts, pop-ups, videos, or visual clutter getting in the way.

On desktop, Reading Mode opens in a side panel that can be widened for a more immersive layout, while Android displays the page in a simplified full-screen view. You can also customise the font, text size, spacing, and background colour to make reading more comfortable.

One particularly useful feature is the small play button inside Reading Mode, which uses AI-powered text-to-speech to read the page aloud while highlighting the words as it goes. This can be especially helpful for reviewing long articles, reducing screen fatigue, multitasking, or improving accessibility.

How It Works

Reading Mode strips away unnecessary page elements and focuses only on the main content, helping you absorb information faster and with fewer distractions. The built-in read-aloud feature also allows you to consume content hands-free while keeping your place visually on screen.

How To Use It in Chrome On Desktop

– Open the web page you want to read.

– Click the three-dot Chrome menu in the top-right corner.

– Select More tools, then Reading mode.

– The page will appear in a simplified side panel.

– Use the controls at the top of the panel to customise the appearance.

– Click the small play button to have Chrome read the page aloud using AI-powered voice narration.

How To Use It In Chrome On Android

In Android, Chrome’s Reading Mode opens as a simplified full-screen reading view rather than a side panel. To use it:

– Open the web page you want to read.

– Tap the three-dot Chrome menu in the top-right corner.

– Select Reading mode (or Simplified view on some versions of Android).

– The page will open in a cleaner, distraction-free layout without adverts or clutter.

– Use the controls to adjust text size, font style, and background colour for easier reading.

– Tap the play button to have Chrome’s AI-powered voice feature read the page aloud while highlighting the text as it goes.

Tech Insight : Google Integrates Gemini Into Chrome To Enable Agentic Browsing

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Google has announced that it has begun integrating its Gemini artificial intelligence system directly into the Chrome browser as part of a wider effort to turn everyday web browsing into a more automated and assistant-led experience.

Why?

Chrome remains the world’s most widely used web browser, accounting for over 70 per cent of global desktop usage (StatCounter), and Google’s latest changes seem to reflect growing pressure from AI-focused rivals offering built-in assistants and automated task handling. For example, over the past year, browsers and browser features from Microsoft, OpenAI-backed projects, Perplexity and Opera have increasingly promoted AI agents as a way to reduce manual searching, form filling and comparison across multiple websites.

Therefore, rather than thinking about replacing Chrome or launching a separate AI browser, Google is now embedding Gemini directly into the existing product. The aim is to reshape how users interact with websites while preserving Chrome’s central role in daily computing and maintaining continuity for its vast installed user base.

Moving Gemini From A Floating Tool To A Built-In Side Panel

Google first added Gemini to Chrome in 2024, but its early implementation was limited. The assistant appeared in a floating window that sat apart from the main browsing experience and offered only limited contextual awareness. This latest update replaces that approach with a side panel that sits alongside web pages and can be opened across tabs.

According to Parisa Tabriz, Vice President of Chrome, the intention is to allow users to work across the web without losing context. In a Google blog post announcing the changes, she wrote that the new side panel “can help you save time and multitask without interruption” by letting users “keep your primary work open on one tab while using the side panel to handle a different task”.

This design allows Gemini to analyse the page currently being viewed, reference other open tabs, and respond to questions without forcing users to break their workflow. When several tabs originate from the same site or topic, such as product listings or reviews, Gemini can treat them as a related group, making it possible to summarise information or compare options across pages.

When and Where?

The update is rolling out now to Chrome users in the US on Windows, macOS and Chromebook Plus devices, extending availability beyond the platforms supported during earlier testing.

Built On Gemini 3 And Multimodal Capabilities

The new Chrome features are built on Gemini 3, which Google describes as its most capable AI model so far. Gemini is a multimodal system, meaning it can work with text, images and other structured inputs rather than relying solely on written prompts.

Google says this capability supports its aim of making Chrome more useful during complex tasks. In its announcement, the company described Gemini in Chrome as “an assistant that helps you find information and get things done on the web easier than ever before”, particularly when tasks involve multiple steps or different forms of content.

Multimodal understanding also enables Gemini to work directly with images viewed in the browser. For example, through integration with Google’s Nano Banana tool, users can modify images without downloading files or opening separate applications. Google appears to be positioning this as a practical feature for tasks such as visual planning or transforming information into graphics while remaining within the same browsing session.

Tighter Integration With Google Services

A key element of Google’s approach is deeper integration between Chrome and its wider ecosystem of services. Gemini in Chrome supports Connected Apps, including Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Maps, Google Shopping and Google Flights.

With user permission, Gemini can reference information from these services to help complete tasks. In its announcement, Google highlighted examples such as travel planning, where Gemini can locate event details from an email, check flight options, and draft a message to colleagues about arrival times without requiring the user to move between applications.

Google has also confirmed that its Personal Intelligence feature will be brought to Chrome in the coming months. This feature allows Gemini to retain context from previous interactions and tailor responses over time. Tabriz stated that users remain in control, writing that people can opt in and choose whether to connect apps, with the ability to disconnect them at any time.

From Autofill To Agentic Browsing

The most substantial development is probably Google’s move towards agentic browsing, which refers to software systems capable of carrying out tasks across websites on a user’s behalf. For subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra in the United States, Chrome now includes a feature called auto browse.

Google is presenting auto browse as an extension of existing automation rather than a replacement for user involvement. In the blog post, Tabriz wrote, “For years, Chrome autofill has handled the small stuff, like automatically entering your address or credit card, to help you finish tasks faster.” She added that Chrome is now moving “beyond simple tasks to helping with agentic action”.

Auto browse is designed to handle multi-step workflows such as researching travel options, collecting documents, filling in online forms, requesting quotes, or managing subscriptions. Google says early testers have used it to schedule appointments, assemble tax documents, file expense reports and renew driving licences.

More advanced scenarios combine multimodal input and commerce. For example, Google describes cases where Gemini can identify items shown in an image, search for similar products online, add them to a shopping basket, apply discount codes and remain within a set budget. When sensitive actions are involved, such as signing in or completing purchases, auto browse pauses and asks the user to take control.

Google has stated that its AI models are not exposed to saved passwords or payment details, even when Chrome’s password manager is used to support these actions. The company says auto browse is designed to request explicit confirmation before completing actions such as purchases or social media posts.

Commercial Context And Industry Resistance

Google’s decision to deepen Gemini’s role in Chrome comes amid intensifying competition around AI-driven browsing and automation, for example Microsoft has integrated similar capabilities into Edge, while newer browsers have been designed from the outset around the use of AI agents.

There is also increasing interest in agent-led online commerce. For example, management consultancy McKinsey has projected that agentic commerce for business-to-consumer retail in the United States could reach $1 trillion by 2030. Google has indicated that Chrome will support its Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard developed with companies including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair and Target, which is intended to allow AI agents to carry out transactions in a structured and authorised way.

At the same time, some websites and platforms have begun limiting automated access or requiring explicit human review for transactions. Google appears to be positioning auto browse as a more controlled approach, with human confirmation built into sensitive steps, as it explores how agentic browsing can operate within existing legal and commercial frameworks.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Google’s decision to embed Gemini directly into Chrome seems to point to a future where the browser becomes an active participant in work rather than a passive gateway to information. For users, this could concentrate research, comparison and administrative tasks inside a single interface that already sits at the centre of daily digital activity. The immediate impact is likely to be incremental rather than transformational, with benefits most visible in time saved on repetitive or fragmented tasks, balanced against ongoing limits around accuracy, intent recognition and website compatibility.

For UK businesses, the changes could have practical implications across productivity, procurement and digital workflows. For example, tools such as auto browse could reduce the time staff spend on routine administration, travel planning, expense management and supplier research, particularly for small and medium sized organisations without dedicated support teams. At the same time, businesses that rely on web traffic, online forms or e-commerce will need to consider how agent-led browsing interacts with existing processes, security controls and customer journeys, especially as automated interactions become more common.

Website operators, retailers and platforms face a more complex picture, weighing potential efficiency gains against concerns over loss of control, while regulators and standards bodies are paying closer attention to how automated agents access data and complete transactions. Google’s emphasis on user confirmation, permissions and open standards reflects these pressures, while also highlighting that agentic browsing remains an evolving area. Chrome’s scale gives Google a strong position in shaping how this develops, although wider adoption and trust are likely to depend on how reliably these tools perform in real-world conditions rather than on their technical ambition alone.

Tech Insight : Chrome Gets Built-In Gemini

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Google has announced what it calls the biggest upgrade to Chrome in its history, introducing a wide range of Gemini AI-powered features to the browser, and they’re not optional.

AI Becomes Core to Chrome

The new features, now rolling out for desktop users in the US with English set as their Chrome language, are designed to move Chrome beyond being just a browser. According to Google, it’s now a tool that can “understand the web,” take action on the user’s behalf, and surface information across apps and pages without users needing to search manually.

Gemini, Google’s generative AI model, is now embedded directly into Chrome. Once enabled, users can ask Gemini to summarise web pages, compare information across tabs, revisit previously visited sites, or interact with integrated Google apps such as Calendar and Maps without switching tabs. In essence, the browser becomes a conversational assistant.

“Today represents the biggest upgrade to Chrome in its history,” said Google VP Parisa Tabriz. “We’re building Google AI into Chrome across multiple levels so it can better anticipate your needs, help you understand more complex information and make you more productive.”

The update is currently limited to Windows and macOS users in the US, but international rollout is expected in the coming weeks. It will be available to Google Workspace users as well, with enterprise-grade data protections and admin controls.

What Can Gemini in Chrome Actually Do?

At launch, Gemini in Chrome supports the following features:

– Page summarisation, which allows users to simplify the content of any webpage into more digestible points.

– Multi-tab summarisation lets users compare and consolidate information from multiple open tabs into a single overview.

– Web history assistance helps users revisit previously viewed content using natural language prompts such as “What was the article I read last week about walnut desks?”.

– App integration provides access to Google Maps, Calendar and YouTube details directly within Chrome, without switching tabs.

– In-page queries enable users to ask questions about the page they are viewing and receive AI-generated answers directly from the address bar.

Google says the more advanced features are still in development. These include what Google calls agentic browsing, i.e., where Gemini can act on the user’s behalf to complete web-based tasks like booking appointments or ordering groceries. It should be noted here that users still retain control, with the ability to cancel or override these actions at any time.

AI Search for the Address Bar

Another major change is coming to Chrome’s omnibox / the address bar. For example, users will soon see a new AI Mode button on the right-hand side. This feature will allow them to ask more complex questions and receive detailed, AI-generated responses, similar to using Google’s Gemini chatbot.

However, this has prompted concerns among some publishers and SEO professionals. For example, a key question is whether hitting Enter in the omnibox will default to AI answers instead of standard search results. Google has clarified by saying that pressing Enter will still load normal Google Search, while AI Mode will only activate if the user clicks the new button.

Contextual prompts and AI-powered suggestions based on the page being viewed will also be added. For example, when viewing a product page, Chrome might suggest questions like “Is there a warranty for this?” or “What are the delivery times?”.

Safety, Passwords, and Spam

Beyond productivity, Google says AI will also be used to improve safety and reduce online nuisance. For example, Gemini Nano, an efficient AI model designed for device-level tasks, is already part of Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing mode. It detects phishing scams, misleading websites, and so-called “tech support scams” that attempt to trick users into downloading harmful software. This protection is being expanded to cover fake virus alerts and scam giveaways.

Chrome is also using AI to assess and suppress spammy notification requests. Google claims this update has already reduced unwanted notifications by around 3 billion per day for Android users. A similar AI-based signal system will help Chrome decide whether to present website permission requests, such as those asking for camera or location access.

Another new addition is a one-click password changer. Chrome already flags compromised credentials, but now AI will be able to automatically navigate to the password reset page of supported sites and fill in a new secure password with a single click. Supported platforms currently include Spotify, Duolingo, Coursera, and H&M.

Opt-In or Not?

One of the recurring criticisms from both users and commentators is the extent to which these features will be optional. Google has not provided full clarity on whether all AI functions will be opt-in, opt-out, or enabled by default. However, based on recent Chrome behaviour, many expect at least some features to be automatically turned on unless manually disabled.

That raises broader questions about how much of a user’s browsing data could potentially be used to improve AI models. Google says data protections will be built in, particularly for Workspace customers, but has not offered detailed transparency on what personal or behavioural data might be involved in Gemini’s functions across tabs and history.

Mike Torres, Google’s VP of Product for Chrome, commented: “You tell Gemini in Chrome what you want to get done, and it acts on web pages on your behalf, while you focus on other things. It can be stopped at any time so you’re in control.”

While that may be reassuring, some users are already asking how easily these features can be disabled altogether, or whether it will be possible to use Chrome without any AI integration at all.

Microsoft’s AI Moves in Notepad

Meanwhile, it seems that Microsoft is quietly transforming Notepad, its long-standing lightweight text editor, into an AI-enhanced writing assistant. The latest update, now available to Windows Insiders, introduces three AI tools – Summarise, Write, and Rewrite.

Microsoft says these tools are context-sensitive and can be accessed via right-click in Notepad. On newer Copilot+ PCs, which include dedicated AI hardware, the models run locally and do not require a subscription. For everyone else, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required, and the AI processing is done in the cloud.

The rewrite tool can change the tone or clarity of a paragraph, summarise long notes, or generate first drafts from basic prompts. Although these features are optional and can be disabled in Notepad’s settings, their arrival marks a significant change in how even the simplest Windows apps are being redesigned for the AI era.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Although the rollout is still limited to the US, Google’s direction is now quite clear. It seems that Google sees Chrome as no longer just a gateway to the web, but a platform in which AI takes an active role in what users see, do, and even decide. While many of these features promise genuine time savings and better productivity, the change raises important questions about user control, data handling, and the transparency of AI decision-making. Whether businesses or individuals fully trust Gemini to act on their behalf is likely to depend on how configurable these tools turn out to be once they arrive more widely.

For UK businesses, the developments could offer some clear operational gains, particularly for teams juggling research, cross-tab work, or repetitive browser-based tasks. Deeper integration with Google apps may also benefit firms already embedded in the Workspace ecosystem. However, there will be just as much interest in how these features are governed. For example, firms will need to assess whether data from staff browsers is being used to train AI models, and how easily administrators can enable or restrict access to these tools across teams.

For Microsoft, the story is less dramatic but still significant, i.e., giving Notepad AI capabilities changes expectations of even the simplest applications. The split between free local use on Copilot+ PCs and paid cloud access for everyone else is a change in how AI is being packaged into the Windows environment. Businesses that rely on standardised software deployments may now have to take closer account of hardware and licensing when managing new AI tools, especially if even core utilities like Notepad become divided by capability.

As both tech giants continue to expand AI into familiar software, the trade-offs between convenience, control and commercial interest are becoming harder to ignore. The features may be free at the point of use, but the long-term implications for trust, competition, and user experience are far from settled.

News : Perplexity Makes $34.5 Billion Bid for Google’s Chrome

Posted on by Paul Stradling

AI start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5 billion bid for Google’s Chrome browser, a move that has shocked the tech industry and raised questions about antitrust pressure, corporate ambition, and whether such a deal could ever succeed.

Perplexity

Perplexity is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, a former Google and OpenAI researcher. Despite being just three years old, the firm has already become one of the highest-profile challengers in the generative AI space. Its core product is a real-time AI-powered search engine that provides conversational answers with source links, setting it apart from rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

The company has attracted major backing, including funding from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, chipmaker Nvidia, and Japan’s SoftBank, and was valued at around $18 billion as recently as July. Perplexity says it now serves around 30 million monthly active users and has partnerships with publishers such as Time and the Los Angeles Times.

Last month, it launched Comet, an AI-native browser designed to help users summarise web content, manage tabs more intelligently, and automate tasks such as scheduling and online shopping. Comet combines local device processing with cloud-based models, including GPT-5, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google’s own Gemini. Srinivas has described it as a “cognitive operating system” rather than a conventional browser.

The Offer For Chrome

On 12 August, Perplexity confirmed that it had made a formal $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Chrome, the world’s most widely used browser with an estimated three billion users. The offer was unsolicited, and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has not indicated any willingness to sell Chrome.

Perplexity framed the bid as an effort to preserve the principles of the open web, pledging to keep Chromium, the open-source foundation of Chrome that also underpins Microsoft Edge and Opera, fully maintained. It also promised to invest $3 billion over two years in development and to retain Google as the default search engine inside Chrome, while allowing users to change provider more easily.

Why Make This Move Now?

The timing is no accident. Google is awaiting the outcome of a major US antitrust case that found it had unlawfully monopolised the search market by locking in default search agreements with device manufacturers and browser developers. Judge Amit Mehta is due to decide on remedies, and one of the Justice Department’s proposed options is that Google could be forced to divest Chrome.

By making its bid public now, therefore, Perplexity is positioning itself as a ready buyer if regulators force a sale. The company has argued that moving Chrome into independent ownership would be in the “highest public interest” and would protect user choice.

It also reflects a broader shift in how browsers are seen in the AI era. For example, with the rise of conversational search, browsers have regained importance as gateways to traffic, data, and default search settings. Controlling Chrome, which has more than 60 per cent of the global browser market, could give Perplexity a huge distribution advantage for its own AI search technology.

Could It Succeed?

It appears that many analysts remain highly sceptical about Perplexity’s chances of success. For example, Perplexity’s own valuation is only about half the size of the bid it has put forward, and while the company has claimed that multiple funds are willing to finance the deal, it has not named them.

Estimates of Chrome’s true value vary, with some industry figures suggesting it could be worth $50 billion or more, far higher than Perplexity’s offer. Even if regulators order a sale, Google has said it would appeal, warning that divestiture would damage innovation, user privacy, and security. Legal experts believe that a final decision could take years to resolve, possibly extending through appeals to the Supreme Court.

For now, Google has given no indication it would entertain the bid. Alphabet executives have consistently argued that Chrome is central to its strategy, not just as a browser but as a linchpin connecting billions of users to its search engine and advertising business.

What Would It Mean for Perplexity?

If Perplexity somehow succeeded, acquiring Chrome would instantly transform it from a rising AI challenger into a dominant player in the internet ecosystem. Chrome’s reach would provide an unrivalled platform to push its AI search engine, while the promise to maintain Google as the default search provider could ease antitrust scrutiny.

It would also allow Perplexity to leapfrog competitors like OpenAI, which has been working on its own AI browser, and other search challengers such as DuckDuckGo. Integrating Chrome’s scale with Perplexity’s AI could accelerate the shift toward AI-native browsing, potentially changing how users interact with information online.

However, absorbing Chrome’s three billion users would also pose huge operational and financial challenges. For example, maintaining a browser of that size requires vast infrastructure, security resources, and compliance mechanisms. For a start-up, even one backed by high-profile investors, this would be an extraordinary undertaking.

What Would It Mean for Google?

For Google, losing Chrome would, of course, be a major blow. The browser is not only a product in its own right but also a strategic entry point for its search business, helping to sustain its advertising revenue. Chrome also serves as a platform for integrating new AI features such as generative overviews within search results.

Without Chrome, Google would be forced to rely more heavily on agreements with rival browsers and devices, weakening its distribution power. That is precisely why regulators see divestiture as one of the strongest remedies to restore competition in the search market.

Reactions and Criticisms

Reactions to the bid have been mixed. For example, some industry observers view it as a bold statement of intent from a company looking to define the future of web search. Others see it as unrealistic, pointing out that Perplexity has not disclosed firm financing and may simply be using the offer to raise its profile.

Scepticism has also focused on whether Perplexity’s promise to keep Google as the default search engine would truly benefit competition, or whether it is more about reassuring regulators. Critics argue that Chrome’s value lies not only in its codebase but also in its role as a pipeline for search and advertising data, which cannot easily be separated from Google’s wider ecosystem.

Business users are also likely to be watching closely. Chrome is the default browser in many workplaces, chosen for its compatibility, speed, and integration with enterprise tools. Any change of ownership could raise questions about data handling, support, and continuity, particularly if Perplexity sought to integrate more AI-driven features.

For now though, the move has generated significant debate about the future of browsers, competition, and AI in the digital economy, regardless of whether the deal itself has any chance of success.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Perplexity’s bid may be as much about timing and visibility as it is about ownership. With Google under pressure in the US courts, the possibility of a forced sale has moved from theory to something regulators may genuinely consider. By stepping forward now, Perplexity is signalling that it wants to be part of the solution if Chrome is prised away from Google, even if the financial and legal obstacles make that outcome unlikely in the near term.

For UK businesses, the implications are not trivial. For example, Chrome dominates the workplace browser market, and any change in ownership could alter how security, updates, and AI integrations are delivered. A Perplexity-controlled Chrome might accelerate the introduction of AI-native features into day-to-day browsing, offering new efficiencies but also raising fresh questions about data handling and reliance on emerging players. IT teams and decision-makers would need to weigh the potential benefits of AI-powered functionality against the stability that comes with Google’s long-established stewardship.

Investors and regulators will also be watching carefully. If a start-up with a fraction of Google’s size and revenue can credibly put forward an offer of this scale, it signals how central browsers have once again become in the race to dominate AI-driven search. It also shows how antitrust scrutiny is changing the competitive landscape, opening the door to bids and proposals that would once have been unthinkable.

In practical terms, Google’s strong resistance and the length of any appeals process mean Chrome is unlikely to change hands quickly. However, the bid alone has reframed the conversation about the browser’s future. Whether as a serious takeover attempt or as a calculated move to raise its profile, Perplexity has forced the industry to imagine what a post-Google Chrome might look like, and to consider how that could reshape competition, innovation, and user choice across the digital economy.

Tech Tip – Paste as Plain Text with Ctrl + Shift + V

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Pasting something into an email or document and don’t want all the messy fonts or colours? Use Ctrl + Shift + V instead of Ctrl + V to paste without formatting.

How to:

– Highlight and copy your text as normal (Ctrl + C).
– When pasting, press Ctrl + Shift + V instead of just Ctrl + V.
– The text will appear as plain, unformatted text.

What it’s for:

Saves time when you need clean content for emails, reports, or shared documents—no more wasting time stripping out inconsistent fonts or hidden links.

Pro‑Tip: This shortcut works in Chrome, Word, Outlook, Gmail and many modern apps. Ideal for shared docs where consistent formatting matters.

Featured Article : OpenAI Wants To Buy Chrome

Posted on by Paul Stradling

OpenAI has declared its interest in buying Google Chrome (if Alphabet is forced to sell it following an antitrust ruling against the tech giant), raising major questions about the future of internet browsing, AI, and search.

OpenAI’s Interest Made Clear During Antitrust Testimony

Speaking during a landmark antitrust trial in Washington DC, OpenAI’s Head of Product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, confirmed that the AI company would “absolutely” consider buying Chrome should it become available.

“Yes, we would, as would many other parties,” Turley testified. He added that integrating ChatGPT directly into Chrome could create “a really incredible experience,” giving users a glimpse into an “AI-first experience” for web browsing.

Turley’s comments came during a three-week remedies phase of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against Google, where the focus has shifted from proving wrongdoing to deciding what structural changes might be needed to restore competition.

The Google Antitrust Trial

Google’s troubles with US regulators are nothing new, but the current trial represents one of the most serious challenges to the company’s dominance. In 2023, a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over online search. For example, proposed remedies include:

– Forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser.

– Preventing Google from paying companies (e.g. Apple, Samsung) to make Google their default search.

– Forcing Google to share its search index with rivals.

Chrome has become a central focus because of its overwhelming influence on how users access the internet. For example, according to Similarweb, Chrome commands around 64 per cent of the global browser market. Microsoft’s Edge trails far behind at 13.35 per cent, while Apple’s Safari holds 21 per cent of the market.

Therefore, if the court orders Google to spin off Chrome, it would clearly be one of the most significant regulatory interventions in tech history, and it now seems as though OpenAI is positioning itself as a major contender to scoop it up.

Why OpenAI Wants Chrome

At its core, OpenAI’s interest in Chrome is likely to be about reach. Despite the soaring popularity of ChatGPT, distributing AI services directly to users has been a major hurdle. As Brian Jackson, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group (quoted in Fortune) puts it: “Control of a browser is control of the primary access point to the web,” and that “Owning Chrome would instantly give OpenAI a massive footprint and new opportunities to harvest browser interaction data.”

Currently, ChatGPT Search exists as a Chrome extension, with around three million users according to the Chrome Web Store. However, deeper integration could significantly enhance both the functionality and the adoption rate of OpenAI’s tools.

Turley also highlighted that access to web browsing is crucial to OpenAI’s ambitions to build a “super assistant” , i.e. an AI capable of helping users with real-time, accurate information across daily tasks.

However, it seems that OpenAI has faced stiff barriers to wider distribution. Although it successfully partnered with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into iPhones, it has struggled on Android, where Google’s influence is stronger. For example, since January, Google has paid Samsung to make its own Gemini AI model the default on Samsung devices, leaving little room for rivals.

“Our powerful competitors control the access points,” Turley said, warning that without new avenues, OpenAI’s growth could be limited.

What Would It Mean If OpenAI Bought Chrome?

For OpenAI, the benefits of getting Chrome are clear, i.e. it’s an instant gateway to billions of users, deeper integration of AI into everyday browsing, and access to a treasure trove of real-time user interaction data.

For users, however, the picture may be more complicated. For example, OpenAI already holds vast amounts of data through ChatGPT interactions. If it owned a browser, it could potentially access even more detailed information about user behaviour, searches, and preferences. This raises new privacy concerns. As Professor Anjana Susarla, an expert in Information Systems at Michigan State University, says: “The idea of an AI company having access to your browsing history should make everyone think carefully about data protection.”

There would also be a significant shift in the competitive landscape. Today, Google dominates not just search but also browser-based advertising. OpenAI’s takeover of Chrome could fragment the market, creating new opportunities for Microsoft (with Bing and Edge), Apple (with Safari), and rising AI-powered search engines like Perplexity AI.

What Does Google Say?

Unsurprisingly, Google is not keen on the idea! In a statement, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, said that the government’s proposals would “hurt America’s consumers, economy, and technological leadership.”

Google has also made clear that it has no intention of selling Chrome voluntarily. The company plans to appeal the earlier rulings that declared it a search and advertising monopolist.

Challenges and Criticisms of an OpenAI Chrome Acquisition

While the prospect is tantalising for OpenAI, it would not be without major challenges. For example:

– Antitrust regulators would almost certainly scrutinise any deal that allowed OpenAI (itself heavily backed by Microsoft) to control a major internet gateway. Microsoft’s existing links to OpenAI through its Azure cloud deals and investments could raise concerns about a new type of market consolidation.

– The backlash over data privacy could be fierce. Businesses, particularly those reliant on sensitive web applications, would likely be cautious about trusting a browser tied to an AI company whose models constantly learn from user interactions.

– Maintaining a browser the size and complexity of Chrome is no small feat. Ensuring security updates, standards compliance, and feature innovation at the scale Chrome users expect would stretch OpenAI’s capabilities far beyond its current experience.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The possibility of OpenAI acquiring Chrome, while still hypothetical, marks a pivotal moment for the future of internet browsing, AI development, and competitive dynamics across the tech sector. Should Alphabet be forced to part with its prized browser, it could fundamentally alter how billions of users experience the web, and who holds influence over that journey.

For OpenAI, the opportunity to directly control such a vast user base would accelerate its ambitions to integrate AI into everyday life. Yet the potential for wider concerns around privacy, regulatory scrutiny, and concentration of power would be equally profound. An AI company, especially one with OpenAI’s scale and reach, controlling both a major browser and a large language model platform would invite fresh questions over how personal data is used, secured, and monetised.

From a business perspective (especially for UK firms) any shift in browser ownership could have far-reaching implications. Chrome remains the default environment for a significant proportion of business applications, marketing strategies, and customer engagement channels. A transition to an OpenAI-owned Chrome could introduce new integrations, potentially making AI-powered tools more accessible, but it could also mean greater complexity around data governance and compliance requirements, particularly under UK GDPR standards. Firms may need to review their digital strategies more closely if browser platforms start embedding AI deeper into the browsing experience.

Meanwhile, for Google, the threat of losing Chrome would weaken its dominance not only in search but also in digital advertising and browser-driven innovation. Rivals like Microsoft, Apple, and emerging AI-first players could find new openings to grow their own ecosystems, leading to a more fragmented, but potentially more dynamic marketplace. Other stakeholders, from consumers to regulators, would need to weigh up the benefits of greater competition against the risks of concentrating browsing and AI capabilities in fewer hands.

Whether OpenAI’s interest in Chrome becomes reality or not, the mere fact it is seriously being discussed shows how the battle lines in tech are rapidly redrawing. Search, browsing, and AI are no longer separate arenas but are becoming a single, contested frontier. How that frontier is shaped (and who wins control over it) will have lasting consequences for users, businesses, and the broader digital economy alike.