Google updates AI Overviews and tests new Chrome search feature

Summary

Google is making its AI Overviews in Search larger for certain queries, placing AI-generated answers above traditional search results. Additionally, Google is testing an "Ask Google from anywhere" feature in Chrome Canary for Windows, which allows users to initiate searches or AI queries from any application on their screen by pressing Alt + Space. The platform "Googlebook" has been noted as a potentially poor name choice, as Google Search itself struggles to find results for it.

Why it's important

These updates indicate Google's continued integration of AI into its core products, Search and Chrome, aiming to provide quicker answers and more versatile search capabilities. The focus on larger AI Overviews suggests a shift in how users may interact with search results, and the "Ask Google from anywhere" feature aims to streamline information access beyond the browser.

Key Points

• Google AI Overviews expanded
• Chrome "Ask Google from anywhere" feature
• "Googlebook" name criticism

Key Narratives

Based on positions and claims visible in the cited sources. Missing viewpoints are not inferred as full national or institutional perspectives.

Involved Entities

Google, Chrome

Sources (3)

Even Google Search thinks 'Googlebook' isn't a good name choice

9to5Google · 28 Sep 2026

“Googlebook” is a weird name, right? That was my personal first takeaway from this new platform, and it seems even...

Google makes AI Overviews bigger on some search queries

9to5Google · 31 Aug 2026

Google is making its AI Overviews in Search even bigger in some cases, with a change that's now widely applied.

Chrome could soon let you ask Google about anything on your screen - even outside the browser

Tom's Guide · 05 Sep 2026

Google is testing an “Ask Google from anywhere” feature in Chrome that could let you search, use AI and ask questions about anything on your screen.