Google is interested in adding Gemini to Chrome, and it's more than just a web page. Like Edge, it plans to add Gemini to the front of the browser window. Google doesn't want to stop there and is also developing a widget for its AI assistant.
Browser researcher Leopeva64 has shared a detailed analysis of how the feature works in the latest version of ChromeCanary. This is a special edition of the browser that showcases experimental features designed purely for enthusiasts, but does not yet work properly.
As shown in the image above, there is a new "Glic" or Gemini setting in Chrome that will allow you to customize how Gemini opens on Windows. You can set keyboard shortcuts and overwrite existing shortcuts or open them in the menu.
When the toggle button is turned on, the Gemini icon appears next to the window control icons (Maximize, Minimize, and Close). Clicking it launches the AI assistant in a floating window. Windows should also have fixed and floating states. If you compare it to Edge's Copilot implementation, you'll notice some differences.
First, the Gemini icon appears on the window, not the menu bar or toolbar. Secondly, it doesn't stack to the side like Copilot does in Egde. Expect it to change in an upcoming version, as using floating overlays is not a wise decision. Even if someone wanted to use AI, it would be better if it appeared in a corner of the browser rather than an overlay.
Google didn't stop with this browser idea, but went one step further and added Gemini to the taskbar. In your browser's settings page, you can configure the Gemini icon to appear in the system tray. This way, you can launch the assistant from the taskbar.
It opens an overlay with all the controls, including voice search support. However, it doesn't stack to the side like earlier Copilots. Copilot is an app now, so the entire side-stack functionality of your desktop doesn't make much sense.
Like any other system tray icon, from there you can force the AI Assistant to close and customize its appearance, shortcuts, or access settings. From the looks of it, GeminiAI only appears in the system tray when Chrome is active on your PC.
Note that it still runs with the help of Chrome, just like Copilot requires the Edge browser to work.