Google has opened another salvo for its vaunted Now notification platform by expanding it to the company’s Chrome browser for both Windows PCs and Macs. The update is live but will apparently take some time to spread, and will require that users are signed into the same Google account they use on their Android or iOS device.
The integration with the account means that Now notifications can be synced between devices, so that updates and details are pushed to both. Now is an automated system of virtual cards that notify a user of facts or details that are tailored based on that user’s preferences. For instance, sports scores, weather, flight information, traffic conditions, stock quotes, nearby attractions and more.
The browser-based version will also piggyback off the Android or iOS device’s location data to update cards accordingly. As an example, using Now in the browser while in, say, New York, with your Android device in tow, will populate cards with updated information and news relevant to that location. In other words, the browser version is still left a little bit in the wilderness on its own, as it relies on a mobile device to point it in the right direction. Google says that Now in the browser will also check for location information when Chrome isn’t running, but can be turned off in notifications within the browser to disable that feature.
It’s not clear how using a VPN on the browser or mobile device might impact what kind of location info is collected, but either way, the move to integrate it into the browser is a sure sign that Google is aiming for some convergence. Because Chromebooks rely so much on the browser, adding Now is a nice touch of convenience.
That said, it’s also not clear how this might intersect with browsing history or habits, as Now is designed to be timely and relevant in offering up whatever info it currently can. It’s possible Google might want to add a feature or two that would include browsing history or special Now bookmarks. None of this has been substantiated, of course, as we’re only speculating.
If you don’t see Now in your Chrome browser yet, it will be coming in due time, though how long isn’t going to be highlighted for you, either. Google has said the rollout starts today and “will be rolling out over the next few weeks”. There is a manual option to enable Now immediately, which requires typing in chrome://flags and toggling it on from there.
For more information, visit Google’s Help Centre.
