Google has brought its advanced Google Now assistant software to desktop through the beta version of the Chrome web browser.
Available on Android phones since version 4.1 Jelly Bean was launched in July 2012, Google then made it available through iOS in April 2013.
Next up is Google Now on desktop, and Google has announced its initial availability over on the official Chrome blog.
If you’re using the beta version of Chrome on Mac, Windows, or Chromebook, simply sign in using the same account that you’re using for the Google Now service on Android or iOS, and the same notifications will be available through the desktop browser.
To view these Google Now notifications, simply click the bell icon on your desktop, in Mac or Windows. If you’re using a Chromebook, click the numbered box.
Google Now offers a number of contextually aware notifications relating to traffic, sports results, flight times and the like. Google uses this example of how Google Now might work for desktop users: “the next time you’re finishing up emails at your desk, Google Now might suggest that you leave the office a bit early to beat the heavy traffic on the way to your dinner date.”
There’s no word on when Google Now might be made available to general Chrome users, but we can’t imagine it will be too long in coming. If you’re the impatient sort, you can try the feature out by downloading the Chrome beta from the Google website.
Read More: Android 4.4 KitKat review
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
