Google is embedding its Gemini AI models into the Chrome browser for U.S. users, starting this Thursday, following a favorable antitrust ruling. A Washington judge determined that Alphabet, Google’s parent company, would retain control of Chrome while mandating data sharing with competitors to promote fairness in online search markets. This ruling marked a significant win for Big Tech amid ongoing U.S. antitrust scrutiny. Initially, Gemini will be accessible to English-speaking desktop users on Mac and Windows, with a planned rollout for Apple’s iOS version of Chrome. Future updates aim to create deeper integration with Google services like YouTube and Maps, enhancing features like summarization of content and multi-step task automation. These advancements bolster Google’s competitive position against rivals like Perplexity, which recently pursued a $34.5 billion bid for Chrome. The ruling also restricts exclusive agreements with device manufacturers while allowing Google to maintain partnerships to promote its search engine.
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