Hands-On Windows 161: Google Wants To Be Your Co-Pilot

Thu Oct 09 2025

Google's Surprise Desktop App for Windows

Summary

Podcast Summary:

All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) – Hands-On Windows 161: "Google Wants To Be Your Co-Pilot"
Host: Paul Thurrott
Date: October 9, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Paul Thurrott explores Google's deepening integration of AI—specifically the Gemini model—into the Windows ecosystem. With Microsoft's Copilot, Apple's Apple Intelligence, and Google's Gemini now competing, Paul analyzes Google's latest incursions on Windows. He details the features of the new Google app for Windows and enhanced Gemini features in Chrome, highlighting how Google is positioning itself as a direct competitor to Microsoft Copilot. The episode sets the context for an intensifying AI arms race on desktops and across operating systems.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Current State of AI Assistants ([02:22]–[03:30])

Competition Landscape:
Paul summarizes the expanding competition among tech giants in the AI assistant space:
- Microsoft: Copilot integrated into Windows 11, mobile, Microsoft 365, and more.
- Apple: Apple Intelligence is in early phases but progressing.
- Google: Gemini, available across Android, Chrome OS, and now Windows.
Google's Advantage:
With the most used browser (Chrome) and search engine, Google’s ecosystem provides a robust platform to distribute and ground AI assistants.

"Google is interesting because...they make the world's most popular web browser by far. They also make the world's most popular search engine by far. These are great ways to distribute and/or provide grounding for AI."
— Paul Thurrott [03:10]

2. Google’s New Windows App—A "Spotlight" for Windows ([03:30]–[06:00])

Introducing the Google App for Windows:
- Available via labs.google.com; may be a limited-time release.
- Overlay Search Bar: Stays atop desktop (inspired by Mac’s Spotlight, PowerToys Run, and the Copilot command palette).
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Default is Alt+Space, but user-adjustable.
- Core Features:
  - Google Search access from desktop.
  - Local file search with indexing and possible semantic search.
  - Google Drive integration for cloud file search.
  - Visual search via a Google Lens-style icon on the desktop—akin to Copilot Vision.
"What this does is provide this search bar on Windows, right over everything else you're doing...You can search your files locally...search your Google Drive up in the cloud...see what's on your desktop using this Google Lens icon."
— Paul Thurrott [04:15]
Potential:
- Functions as an in-place Copilot replacement.
- Visually reminiscent of search on Android devices—blurring lines between desktop and mobile UI.
"This is kind of an in-place replacement, if you will, for Copilot. Potentially interesting."
— Paul Thurrott [05:10]

3. Gemini in Chrome: From Subscription Perk to Mainstream Tool ([06:00]–[09:00])

Gemini Chat Button in Chrome:
- Previously restricted to paid Google AI Pro subscribers; now broadly available.
- Free vs. Paid: Free tier generous, with limits outlined in Google’s help docs.
Interactions:
- Click Gemini icon for a chat overlay (not limited to a fixed sidebar; can be moved).
- Capable of summarizing web pages and answering user queries directly from the Chrome interface, not necessarily tied to any single tab.
- Can run even if Chrome window is closed—persistence beyond browser sessions.
"The nice thing about this one though is you can move it around and that's something you can't actually do yet with Edge and their little Copilot, you know, quick...interface here."
— Paul Thurrott [07:50]

"You can bring this up at any time. You don't have to be looking at a web page...if you just want to chat with Gemini...you can just bring this thing up at any time."
— Paul Thurrott [08:10]

4. Upcoming Gemini & Chrome Features ([09:00]–[13:30])

Expansion & Limitations:
- Currently US/Canada in English, consumer accounts only—coming to Workspace (business) users soon.
- Will support multi-tab tasks: compare, summarize, research across tabs.
Omnibox Integration:
- Gemini will provide in-line AI results as you type into the Chrome address bar (Omnibox).
- Suggested Queries: As you type, Chrome offers AI-powered suggestions and, upon selection, slides out an answer in a sidebar.
"When you click here...if you just type, type a question here, it will assume you are asking it about this thing, but it also gives you some suggestions."
— Paul Thurrott [10:15]
Agentic (Autonomous) Capabilities Coming Soon:
- Gemini will access context (emails, calendar, browsing) to perform real-world actions (e.g., booking appointments, ordering groceries).
"It's going to understand because you're a Google customer and it has your, you know, your calendar information, Gmail... Did you want to create a or make a reservation for that place, that kind of thing."
— Paul Thurrott [11:05]
AI Mode in Search:
- Gemini-powered AI mode will analyze and summarize web pages, returning deeper results directly in the Omnibox.
- Shows sources for answers (e.g., Stack Overflow for coding questions).
"When you go into AI mode, this is a different style of search. It's using that AI backend. It's doing kind of a more complex, deeper analysis. It's showing you the sites that it got this information from..."
— Paul Thurrott [12:06]
Security Enhancements:
- Gemini Nano runs locally for "safe browsing" within Chrome.
- Scam notifications and download blocks to protect users from malicious sites and downloads.
"If you are visiting a website today and it's a scammy thing...that will actually stop that...If you do try to download it, it will prevent you from doing that."
— Paul Thurrott [13:00]

5. Why This Matters ([13:30]–[14:20])

The AI arms race is heating up, with Google integrating Gemini into Chrome (the world’s most popular browser) and Windows.
The accessibility and ubiquity of these tools mean Google's AI presence on desktops could soon rival or surpass Microsoft's Copilot.

"Putting this in Chrome is actually a really big deal, I think, because it's just, you know, 65, 70% of the web...And this is what most people use."
— Paul Thurrott [13:30]

Notable Quotes & Moments

"Google is trying to out Copilot Copilot in Windows."
— Paul Thurrott [02:02]
On the growing AI integration arms race:
"They're putting it in everything Apple is doing. Apple Intelligence... Google is doing Gemini... throughout their ecosystem."
— Paul Thurrott [02:36]
On the practical impact for average users:
"This also looks like that search box you see like on a Pixel or an Android phone. So this is very interesting to me."
— Paul Thurrott [05:25]
On the broader implications:
"Google building this stuff in was inevitable but now it's kind of finally happening."
— Paul Thurrott [10:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

02:22 – AI competition landscape; Google's strategic positioning.
03:30 – Introduction to Google's new Windows app (desktop search overlay).
06:00 – Gemini integration into Chrome browser; history and current access.
09:00 – Expansion plans for Gemini in Chrome and Workspace integration.
10:15 – Hands-on with Omnibox AI features and sidebar responses.
11:05 – Preview of future autonomous (agentic) Gemini features.
13:00 – Gemini-powered phishing and scam protections.
13:30 – Why integrating Gemini in Chrome is a major development.

Episode Tone & Flow

Paul maintains a conversational, slightly irreverent tone (e.g., "Apple Intelligence, you know, not great, but they're getting there. Whatever.") while providing a hands-on, practical analysis of new technology as it emerges. He is excited about the features and eager to share new findings, even when some tools are so new he hasn't had time for deep testing.

Conclusion

Paul Thurrott provided an in-depth look at Google's accelerating effort to position Gemini's AI as a full-featured, cross-platform rival to Microsoft Copilot. Google’s seamless integration with Windows and Chrome offers users a compelling alternative, and signals a new phase in the competition for AI dominance on the desktop. The episode promises further deep-dives in the future as these tools evolve and features roll out to a wider audience.

Loading summary...

Transcript

Narrator/Announcer (0:00)

25 years ago, a small group of business and government leaders met in Washington, D.C. they envisioned the creation of an independent nonprofit organization with a mission to help people, businesses and government mitigate the growing threat of cyber attacks. Today, the center for Internet Security embodies that vision. For 25 years, it's worked with a global community of IT and cybersecurity experts to develop the CIS benchmarks and CIS critical security controls. These proven security best practices defend against common cyber threats and streamline compliance with industry frameworks, regulations and standards. Today, CIS provides cybersecurity services, threat intelligence, and critical resources to help public and private sector organizations alike strengthen their Cyber defenses. Visit cisecurity.org today. That's the letters cisecurity.org to to find out how CIS can help your organization as we create confidence in the connected world.

Leo Laporte (1:01)

This episode is brought to you by Cohesity. For security and IT professionals, resilience is not just a feature, it's a movement. Cohesity makes sure you're ready for the midnight alerts and morning reviews. With Cohesity, you can secure and protect your company's entire data estate with a single platform, reduce your risk from threat actors, and quickly respond and recover from destructive cyber attacks, strengthening your company's resilience. That's why Cohesity is trusted by 70% of the Global 500. Learn more@cohesity.com Resilience everywhere and now a.

Commercial Voice (1:32)

Next level moment from ATT Business. Say you've sent out a gigantic shipment of pillows and they need to be there in time for International Sleep day. You've got AT and T5G so you're fully confident, but the vendor isn't responding and International Sleep Day is tomorrow. Luckily, AT&T 5G lets you deal with any issues with ease, so the pillows will get delivered and everyone can sleep soundly. Especially you. ATT 5G requires a compatible plan and device coverage not available everywhere. Learn more@att.com 5G Network.

Paul Thurrott (2:02)

Coming up next on Hands on Windows, we're going to take a look at how Google is trying to out Copilot Copilot in Windows.

Commercial Voice (2:12)

Podcasts you love from people you trust. This is twit.

Paul Thurrott (2:22)

Hello everybody, and welcome back to Hands on Windows. I'm Paul Throt and this week we're going to take a little sidetrack. So we've talked a lot about Copilot this past year. We've talked a lot about about new features in Windows 11, of course, but Microsoft has a lot of competition out there in the AI space and it's really not clear who's going to come out ahead, but we know Microsoft is doing Copilot. They're putting it in Windows 11, they're putting it on mobile, they're putting it in Microsoft 365. They're putting it in everything Apple is doing. Apple Intelligence, you know, not great, but they're getting there. Whatever. I'm sure they'll get there with some help. And Google is doing Gemini. Gemini is available in Android as the new assistant. It's available Chrome os. It's throughout their ecosystem. Right. And Google is interesting because A, they make the world's most popular web browser by far. They also make the world's most popular search engine by far. These are great ways to distribute and or provide grounding for AI. And so, not surprisingly, Google's been doing a pretty good job with Gemini. But they are. Let me think about this before I say it. Yeah, pretty much. I would say the first major incursion of AI from another platform maker into Windows or any other platform. Right. And they're doing this through two different ways. The first one is something that just came out right before I recorded this episode. So I don't really. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to try it yet. But there is a Google app that's available in Google Labs. So if you go to labs.google.com you will find this. In fact, I think it's search will get you there. They're going to cut it off at some point. So it's probable by the time you get this, if you have or see this episode, if you haven't done it yet, it might not be available, at least temporarily. But what this does is provide this search bar on Windows, right. On the desktop, right over everything else you're doing. Similar to Spotlight Search on the Mac, which is the inspiration for lots and lots of things in the Windows space. What this reminds me of is PowerToys Run or the new command palette in PowerToys Copilot as well. So Copilot in Windows, there's a Windows key +W. Nope, that's not it. Windows key +. I'll get there eventually. Windows key +. Try that one more time. Windows key +C should bring up Copilot and it's not so. Okay, but it should. But also Alt space. Right? And Alt space is the keyboard shortcut for a lot of these tools that they all override each other. On the Mac, it's Command space. Right. That's why it is that keyboard combination. So by default, Google uses alt Space as well. You can change that if you want. And what this does is give you access to Google Search from the desktop. It can search your files locally so there's some indexing going on there and I would hope some semantic search functionality as well. You can search your Google Drive up in the cloud. You can see what's on your desktop using this Google Lens icon. So that is very much like Copilot vision. Right. And so this is kind of a like an in place replacement if you will for Copilot. Potentially interesting. This also looks like that search box you see like on a Pixel or an Android phone. So this is very interesting to me. I haven't had, like I said, I haven't had a lot of time. I wanted to throw this out today just because this just happened and it's, it's very interesting. So probably I will say in a future episode we will look at that further but in the meantime we can look at what they are doing with Chrome. And so a couple of months back as I record this, Google added this little Gemini button up here to Chrome and let's put this in dark mode so it's not blowing my eyeballs out. But this was only available if you had a paid Google AI Pro or whatever the other subscriptions are called. Membership. Right. Recently though, the latest version of Gemini of Chrome, when I record this, they've made this available to everyone and so there were limits. But Google has a nice help doc that explains how many things you can do per month with the free version versus the various paid versions. It's actually pretty generous. So this works a lot like Copilot mode in Explorer in Microsoft Edge. You know, you click it, you get this little chat box, you know, by default it will look at the tab that you're looking at. So you could say something like, you know, summarize this page kind of thing and it will do what all of these things do and let me bring that thing down and I guess I'm arguing something here. But anyway it doesn't matter. It's, you know, it's just kind of a handy in browser summary. It's exactly what it sounds like. Right. And so instead of doing a side pane, which is kind of the old way of doing this and you know, Microsoft again has changed Edge to work similarly. They have this thing. The nice thing about this one though is you can move it around and that's something you can't actually do yet with Edge and their little copilot, you know, quick, you know, whatever it's Called little quick interface here. The other thing that's interesting about that is let's see if it works by default. No, I got a way G. Now it's doing the. Yeah, I have a. The game bar also uses Windows key +G. So let me see. I'll try one more time. Yeah, no, there you go. All right, so you can bring this up at any time. You don't have to be looking at a web page, right? So if you just want to chat with Gemini and whatever it is, you're asking a question, you want to, you know, whatever it might be, you wanted to create some content, whatever, you can just bring this thing up at any time. You don't have to be in Chrome. Right. Which I think is also a little bit of an incursion right into the underlying platform. You know, Chrome obviously has to be running somewhere. It is in fact literally running, but it could be running in the background. And if I close Chrome, this thing will still be sitting here, which is this little guy here. So I think that's pretty cool.