Gemini 3 is Now Inside Your Chrome Side Panel: 5 Features You Need to Try!

Thursday, 29 January 2026 at 09:48

Google just turned Chrome into a literal AI "wingman." As of today the browser is moving away from being just a tool for viewing tabs and into an autonomous agent that handles your "digital chores." Here’s the breakdown of the major Gemini 3 features hitting Chrome for Windows, MacOS, and Chromebook Plus.

1. The Gemini Side Panel (Always Accessible)

No more jumping back and forth between a chatbot tab and your work. Gemini now lives in a dedicated side panel that stays open as you surf.

The Use Case: You can summarize product reviews on Amazon, compare travel dates on Expedia, and check your Google Calendar—all without ever leaving your primary tab.

2. Nano Banana: Browser-Native Image Editing

Google has integrated its state-of-the-art Nano Banana model directly into Chrome.

What it does: You can generate or edit images on the fly. See a couch you like but want it in blue? You can prompt Nano Banana in the sidebar to transform that specific image.
Creative Flow: It allows you to create infographics from raw data or redesign room layouts without downloading a single file.

3. Auto Browse: The Autonomous Agent

This is the "heavy hitter" feature currently rolling out for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

The Capability: It doesn't just find information; it takes action. It can research flight and hotel combos, fill out online forms, and even manage your subscriptions.
Shopping: Using the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), it can identify items in photos, find the best price, add them to your cart, and apply discount codes.
Guardrails: It will not finalize a purchase or post to social media without an explicit confirmation from you.

4. Personal Intelligence (The "Proactive" Partner)

Launching in the coming months, this feature allows Chrome to remember your preferences and past interactions (opt-in only).

The Goal: Chrome becomes context-aware. If you’re planning a trip, it might proactively suggest a restaurant reservation based on a Gmail thread or an old YouTube "must-see" video you saved.

Availability & Control

Gemini Side Panel & Nano Banana: Rolling out now to all Chrome users in the U.S.
Auto Browse: Preview mode for AI Pro/Ultra subscribers.
Security: All agentic actions require user confirmation for sensitive data (passwords, credit cards). You can disconnect specific Google Apps (Gmail, Maps, etc.) at any time.