Google built an empire on the power of search, transforming how we access information. From Gmail’s instant email retrieval to the core function of its namesake, finding things quickly has always been paramount. But a recent experience with Google’s new desktop app left me questioning if they’ve truly recaptured that magic.
The newly released Google app for Windows, currently available for PCs using English, aims to be a unified hub for everything Google. It’s reminiscent of macOS’s Spotlight, functioning as a file manager, application launcher, and a powerful search tool all in one. Unlike Spotlight, however, it requires a download and, ideally, a Google account login to unlock its full potential.
The app operates discreetly in the background, summoned with the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. It appears as a floating window, hovering over your desktop, ready to respond to your queries. Yet, despite its functionality, Windows’ built-in search, often overlooked, proved surprisingly more effective in my testing.
Naturally, the Google app seamlessly integrates with Gemini, Google’s AI model. A simple search initiates a query within Gemini, opening a small floating window that essentially transforms the app into a Gemini portal. Even selecting the standard “All” search mode still presents an AI-generated summary first, mirroring the experience of a typical Google search page.
The app also offers the ability to share your screen or a specific window with Gemini, allowing you to ask questions about the content displayed. This feature proved surprisingly capable when compared to Microsoft’s Copilot Vision. While Copilot struggled to analyze my screen, the Google app accurately identified cards and suggested moves within a game of Solitaire, despite occasional misinterpretations.
Microsoft’s Copilot, however, benefits from being deeply integrated within the Windows ecosystem. Google’s app promises effortless searching across your desktop and cloud storage, but it falls short of replacing File Explorer or Windows Search. It simply doesn’t deliver on that core expectation.
The app can access files stored locally and within Google Drive, but it inexplicably misses OneDrive files and doesn’t seem to index Google Photos. A basic search for “Google” on my own PC yielded far more comprehensive results using Windows Search than through the Google app, highlighting a clear disparity in performance.
One might expect Gemini to provide a definitive answer to the app’s overall value. But the reality is that the Google desktop app feels less like a revolutionary tool and more like yet another gateway to Gemini. In a world already saturated with access points to AI, does another one truly add value?
