The New Google App for Windows: Your Digital Sidekick Just Got a Promotion

The New Google App for Windows: Your Digital Sidekick Just Got a Promotion

Google is testing a new Windows app through Labs that combines AI-powered search, and seamless integration with Google services, all within a desktop experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor, 

September 18, 2025

Your workflow is a river, and every time you stop to search for something, you're building a dam. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new Google App for Windows.

Google's new experimental app for Windows aims to clear that path, giving you instant access to information without ever breaking your stride.

Feature Explanation

Google's latest foray into desktop productivity isn't a browser and it's not a desktop widget.

It's a dedicated search application for Windows, designed for the singular purpose of putting the world's information at your fingertips, instantly. 

The real magic happens with a simple keyboard shortcut, Alt + Space. 

This command triggers a search bar that floats over any application you're currently using. 

Need to find a file on your computer? 

You can do that. 

Looking for a document saved in your Google Drive? 

It’s a unified search. 

For deeper inquiries, the app includes an "AI Mode," which goes beyond simple links to provide comprehensive, AI-powered answers. 

What You'll Gain

• Instant Access: Get the information you need without leaving your current application.
• Unified Search: Find files on your PC, in your Google Drive, and on the web with a single query.
• Smarter Research: Use Google Lens to search anything on your screen, from text to images.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it,

This new Google app is currently a Windows-exclusive experiment. There are no direct equivalents for iOS or Android, as Google's mobile apps already offer integrated search functionality.

Microsoft Windows

1. Join the Google Labs experiment to gain access, labs.google.com/search/experiment/40.
2. Toggle On "Turn this experiment on to access the Google app for Windows".
3. Select "Download App".
4. Locate the installer file you downloaded.
5. Open and install the dedicated Google app for Windows.
6. Open the Google Search app.
7. Turn on AI mode:  Select your profile picture > Configuration > Toggle on "AI Mode".
8. Press Alt + Space to instantly bring up the search bar, no matter which app you are in.
9. Begin typing your query. The app provides results from your local files, Google Drive, and the web.
10. Use the integrated Lens feature to select content on your screen for instant search.
11. 
    

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Rapid Access: The Alt + Space shortcut lets you search instantly, minimizing interruptions to your workflow.
• Unified Search: Find files on your PC and in your Google Drive with a single, streamlined query.
• Screen-Level Intelligence: Google Lens integration allows you to search for text or images directly from whatever is on your screen.
• Efficiency: For students, educators, and professionals, this app is a genuine time-saver that eliminates tedious folder navigation.

Cons:

• Experimental Status: As a Labs feature, it may not be available to everyone and its functionality could change unexpectedly.
• Ecosystem Dependence: The app's full power, especially unified search, is most beneficial to those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.
• Performance Impact: The app runs as a background process, which could potentially slow down older or less powerful computers.

Feature Access

This feature is currently available to a limited number of users through an experimental opt-in program in Google Labs. 

It requires no additional subscription and is available as a free download to those who are granted access to the experiment.

Score

Criterion | Score | Justification

Value 9 

This feature solves a genuine, everyday problem of context-switching, making it easier to access information from multiple sources without disrupting workflow.

Usability 8

The simplicity of a single keyboard shortcut makes it incredibly easy to use. The unified search interface is intuitive for anyone familiar with Google.

Wow Factor 7

The seamless integration of Google Lens and the unified search are clever and genuinely surprising features that will delight users.

Total: 24/30

👍 Good. Worth adopting for most users. This new Google app is a clear step forward in desktop productivity. Its ease of use and powerful unified search make it a valuable addition to the Windows ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

The new Google app for Windows is a powerful, lightweight tool that revolutionizes desktop search. 

By consolidating searches across your device, cloud, and the web, it eliminates the need to constantly switch windows, saving you valuable time and effort. 

It's a subtle but impactful productivity upgrade that's worth exploring for anyone looking to streamline their digital life.

Try It Yourself

Ready to take your productivity to the next level? 

Give the new Google app for Windows a try today. 

Leave a comment below with your first impressions, subscribe to our newsletter for more tips, and share this article with your team or network to help them work smarter, not harder!

READ MORE

• Google AI Mode: The Future of Search
  
• Backup Everything in Your Google Account with Google Takeout
  
• Personalize Your AI with Google Search History
  

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iOS 26’s Liquid Glass Redesign Isn’t Just Eye Candy: It’s a Smarter Way to Work

iOS 26’s Liquid Glass Redesign Isn’t Just Eye Candy: It’s a Smarter Way to Work

Apple’s iOS 26 introduces a visually stunning Liquid Glass interface and productivity-enhancing features. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 16, 2025

Ever wished your iPhone could screen calls like a savvy assistant and look like it belongs in a sci-fi film? 

Here's a Cool Tip: Install Apple's latest update, iOS 26.

The Liquid Glass design is grabbing headlines, but beneath the shimmer lies a suite of features that quietly reshape how business users, educators, and productivity enthusiasts interact with their devices.

Feature Explanation

The centerpiece of iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass interface, a translucent, fluid design that adapts to your wallpaper, refracts light, and morphs across apps. 

It’s more than just aesthetic. 

Apple’s goal is to unify the user experience across devices, making transitions feel seamless whether you’re switching from iPhone to iPad or Mac.

But the real productivity punch comes from features like:

1. Call Screening: Unknown callers are prompted to state their name and reason before your phone even rings.
2. Visual Intelligence: Context-aware actions based on what’s on your screen, like adding calendar events or summarizing text.

Microsoft Word Just Got Smarter: Dynamic Document Snapshots Save You Hours

Microsoft Word Just Got Smarter: Dynamic Document Snapshots Save You Hours

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new Dynamic Document Snapshot feature in Word delivers instant, AI-generated summaries, so you can skip the scroll and get straight to what matters.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 15, 2025

What if your Word docs could summarize themselves?

You open a 40-page report. Your eyes glaze over. 

You scroll, skim, search—still no clue where the key takeaways are. Sound familiar? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the Dynamic Document Snapshot feature in Microsoft Word.

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s Dynamic Document Snapshot feature in Word is not just a summary tool.

It's a contextual, interactive overview that lives at the top of your document and evolves with your needs.

This isn’t a gimmick. 

It’s a quiet revolution in how we consume and collaborate on written content.

AI-powered Note-Taking Gets a Voice, and an Opinion

AI-powered Note-Taking Gets a Voice, and an Opinion

NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews just got smarter. Now you can choose whether you want a quick recap, expert feedback, or a full-on AI argument, all in audio form.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 9, 2025

What if your notes could talk back to you? 

Not just read themselves out loud, but actually debate, critique, and summarize your work on command? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New NotebookLM Audio Overview Formats.

Google’s NotebookLM, a tool that has quietly been transforming the way we work with information, is now giving its audio feature a much-needed personality transplant. 

The new formats: Brief, Critique, and Debate transform passive summaries into dynamic learning tools, fundamentally changing how we engage with our own data.

Give ChatGPT a Personality That Actually Sticks. Here’s How (and Why It Matters)

Give ChatGPT a Personality That Actually Sticks. Here’s How (and Why It Matters)

Want AI that feels like a colleague instead of a flat machine? This guide explains how to adjust ChatGPT’s personality settings, why they matter, and how they can make your daily work a little smoother.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor, 

September 7, 2025

Have you ever asked ChatGPT for help and felt the replies were too stiff or too playful? 

It’s a common experience. 

Sometimes you need quick, concise answers; other times you want a conversational partner.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Set a Personality for ChatGPT.

OpenAI now lets you choose the “personality” of your AI, giving you more control over how responses sound and feel. 

It’s like choosing a co-worker: one who’s all business, another who’s quirky, or maybe one who simply listens.

Google Gemini’s Image Editing is a Game Changer

Google Gemini’s Image Editing is a Game Changer

Google Gemini’s latest image model blends prompts, edits, and styles while keeping faces and objects consistent. The result is faster, more natural editing that feels made for everyday use.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 31, 2025

Have you ever tried to use an AI image tool to create a series of pictures with a consistent character, only to find the results were “close, but not quite?” 

The hair is a different shade, the shirt changes color, or the proportions are slightly off. 

It’s a frustrating roadblock for anyone trying to create a visual narrative.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the improved Google Gemini Image AI.

Can Your Browser Finish Your Sentences Better Than You Can?

Can Your Browser Finish Your Sentences Better Than You Can?

Microsoft Edge’s text prediction feature uses AI to help you write faster, smarter, and with fewer interruptions. Whether you're drafting emails, lesson plans, or reports, it anticipates your next words and completes sentences in real time, saving keystrokes and sharpening clarity. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 27, 2025

You’re halfway through a sentence, fingers flying, when your brain stalls. 

What was that word again? 

Something like “collaborative,” or maybe “cohesive”? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Microsoft Edge's Text Prediction.

Microsoft Edge’s text prediction feature steps in like a helpful colleague who finishes your thought, without the awkwardness.

In a world where we’re all writing more than ever, emails, reports, lesson plans, blog posts, Edge’s predictive typing isn’t just a convenience. 

It’s a quiet revolution in how we interact with language.

Why Gemini's Temporary Chats Are a Game Changer for Smart Professionals

Why Gemini's Temporary Chats Are a Game Changer for Smart Professionals

Google is introducing a new feature called Temporary Chats for its Gemini AI assistant. This mode functions like an "incognito" window for AI conversations. Your chats are not saved to your activity history, used for personalization, or used for model training. The conversations are automatically deleted after 72 hours.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor, 

August 26, 2025

Have you ever had a brilliant, fleeting idea you wanted to brainstorm with an AI, but hesitated, knowing every word would be logged, analyzed, and saved to your activity history? 

What if you need to tackle a sensitive client project or a personal finance question, but you're not comfortable with those details influencing your future digital interactions? 

We’ve all felt that tension between wanting the power of AI and needing a space that respects our privacy. 

But what if you could have both?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Gemini's New Temporary Chats Feature.

Gemini Can Read Aloud Google Docs with New “Audio” Feature

Gemini Can Read Aloud Google Docs with New “Audio” Feature

Google is rolling out a Gemini-powered “Audio” option in Google Docs that reads text aloud with natural-sounding voices. This new tool makes it easier to proofread, multitask, and boost accessibility in everyday work.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 21, 2025

Have you ever caught a mistake in your writing only after hearing it out loud? 

That’s about to get much easier. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Docs' new Audio feature.

Google Docs' new Gemini-powered “Audio” option reads your documents back to you with natural, fluid speech. 

This feature is more than a novelty; it’s a productivity booster, accessibility aid, and even a new way to process information when your eyes are tired from staring at screens all day.

NotebookLM’s New Video Overviews: Turn Your Research into AI-Narrated Slides

NotebookLM’s New Video Overviews: Turn Your Research into AI-Narrated Slides

Google’s NotebookLM now delivers AI‑generated narrated visual overviews, plus a more flexible Studio panel, streamlining how you digest, tailor, and share knowledge.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

August 16, 2025

What if your dense research notes could talk you through the key points as a slick slideshow?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the New Google NotebookLM Video Overview.

With its new Video Overviews feature, you get visual walkthroughs of your content, complete with figures, quotes, diagrams, and narration. 

It’s like having a mini‑doc ready to absorb, on demand. 

X Unveils AI-Powered Video Creation from Text and Images

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X introduces "Grok Imagine," an AI tool that turns text and images into engaging videos. This new feature simplifies content creation for both individuals and businesses.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 11, 2025

Imagine taking simple text or image and transforming it into a full video, all thanks to AI. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Grok Imagine.

X (formerly Twitter) recently launched an innovative new tool, "Grok Imagine," that makes it easier than ever to create videos without needing any special skills or complicated software.

Turn Your Word Docs into Podcasts with Microsoft 365 Copilot

Turn Your Word Docs into Podcasts with Microsoft 365 Copilot

Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new audio overview feature in Word transforms documents into podcast-style summaries.  It's perfect for multitaskers, educators, and busy professionals.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 11, 2025

Have you ever wished that your documents could talk to you?

You’re rushing between meetings, juggling emails, and trying to prep for tomorrow’s presentation. 

That 10-page report sitting in Word? 

It’s not getting read anytime soon. 

But what if it could read itself to you like a podcast, tailored to your pace?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Let Microsoft Word Read to You.

ChatGPT 5: What’s New, What’s Changed, and How OpenAI Is Listening to Feedback

ChatGPT 5: What’s New, What’s Changed, and How OpenAI Is Listening to Feedback

Explore the latest updates to ChatGPT 5, OpenAI’s new AI language model, and how the company is responding to user feedback by giving subscribers access to legacy models.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 10, 2025

Artificial intelligence is evolving at a rapid pace.

Are you staying informed?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new ChatGPT 5 version.

ChatGPT recently released its latest AI mode, ChatGPT 5, to cheers and jeers.

How does this next-generation model stack up against its predecessors, and what changes have been made in response to the chorus of user feedback? 

Feature Explanation

Turn Ideas into Illustrated Stories with Google Gemini

Turn Ideas into Illustrated Stories with Google Gemini

Let Google Gemini help you create charming, illustrated storybooks with just a few prompts.  It's perfect for kids, educators, and creativity lovers.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

August 8, 2025

Picture this: your child is going off to kindergarten soon and she is feeling anxious. 

What if you could whip up a custom book where a friendly kitten goes to kindergarten on her first day, complete with pictures and a voice that reads it aloud?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Create Storybooks with Google Gemini.

What You'll Gain

• Turn a single sentence into a full illustrated storybook
• Access free AI-generated art and narration
• Engage your children or classroom with custom tales

Ready to Become an AI-Powered Storyteller?

Boost Learning with ChatGPT Study Mode: Think, Not Just Copy

Boost Learning with ChatGPT Study Mode: Think, Not Just Copy

Study Mode transforms ChatGPT from an answer machine into an interactive tutor that guides you with questions and feedback instead of simply handing over solutions.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 31, 2025

 

Ever asked ChatGPT for a homework answer only to forget it an hour later? 

That shortcut might be fast, but it’s not learning. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  OpenAI's Study Mode.

OpenAI’s new Study Mode, launched in July 2025, aims to change that. 

Built with feedback from over 40 schools and grounded in learning science, this new feature turns ChatGPT into a personal study partner, one that challenges your thinking instead of doing the work for you.

ChatGPT Agent: Automate Web Tasks from Plan to Spreadsheet with AI That Acts

ChatGPT Agent: Automate Web Tasks from Plan to Spreadsheet with AI That Acts

Discover how ChatGPT Agent transforms ChatGPT from a conversation tool into a productivity powerhouse, saving time by autonomously handling multistep tasks across browsers, email, calendars, and documents.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July 26, 2025

What if ChatGPT did more than just talk? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  ChatGPT Agent mode.

OpenAI's new ChatGPT Agent, introduced in July 2025, advances AI with Agent capabilities.

Instead of only answering your questions, it can take action, such as planning trips, drafting emails, building slides, updating spreadsheets, and more. 

Think of it like a digital assistant that follows through on instructions and works directly inside your apps.

Unlock the Power of Grok Voice Mode on the Web

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Discover how Grok Voice Mode on the web saves time and boosts productivity with hands-free AI assistance, perfect for business users and educators.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 24, 2025

Picture this: you’re juggling a packed workday, and instead of typing out queries, you’re chatting hands-free with an AI assistant that nails your tasks in real-time. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Grok's Voice Mode on the Web.

xAI’s recent launch of Grok Voice Mode for the web makes this a reality, bringing seamless voice interaction to your browser.

What is Grok Voice Mode for the Web?

Grok Voice Mode, already a favorite on iOS and Android, now shines on the web, transforming how productivity enthusiasts, business pros, and educators work. 

This feature lets you interact with Grok, xAI’s clever AI, using your voice—like having a virtual assistant that listens and responds instantly. 

Choose from voices like Ara (upbeat female), Rex (calm male), Eve (soothing female), Sal (smooth male), or Gork (laid-back male), each with customizable personalities (e.g., “Assistant”) and adjustable speech speeds. 

Google Photos' Ask Photos Gets a Powerful Brain Boost

Google Photos' Ask Photos Gets a Powerful Brain Boost

Tired of endless scrolling to find that one photo? Google Photos' enhanced Ask Photos, powered by Gemini AI, is rolling out to more users, transforming how you interact with your visual memories and making complex searches remarkably simple.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 22, 2025

Remember those days when finding a specific photo in your ever-growing digital archive felt like searching for a needle in a haystack? 

You’d scroll endlessly, trying every keyword imaginable, often giving up in frustration. 

Whether it’s that snapshot of a crucial whiteboard session, a particular plant you saw on vacation, or a group photo from a long-forgotten event, our photo libraries have become vast, unwieldy digital beasts.

How to Hide AI Images in DuckDuckGo

How to Hide AI Images in DuckDuckGo

Learn how DuckDuckGo’s new “hide AI-generated images” filter puts you in charge of what appears in image search results.  No tricks, just clarity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July 17, 2025

Ever feel like you’re swimming through a sea of synthetic visuals when you just want a real photo?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Filter AI Search Images with DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo’s latest move gives users a practical way to filter AI-generated images from search results. 

That means less guess‑work, more relevance especially for business professionals, educators, or anyone who needs authenticity at a glance.

What You'll Gain

• More accurate image results when you need legitimacy
• Reduced distraction from AI-generated visuals
• Customizable search experience that respects your preferences

NotebookLM's Featured Notebooks: Instantly Tap into Expert AI Learning

NotebookLM's Featured Notebooks: Instantly Tap into Expert AI Learning

Discover curated content from leading minds and elevate your research, learning, and productivity instantly with NotebookLM's latest update.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July 15, 2025

Have you ever wished you could pick the brain of an expert, not just on a specific topic, but directly within your workflow, grounded in their own curated materials? 

The digital age has promised us endless information, but often, that promise drowns us in a sea of unverified claims and superficial summaries. 

We click, we skim, and too often, we walk away feeling less informed than when we started.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Featured Notebooks in NotebookLM.