Google Chrome Introduces Gemini Select from Screen Feature
Google has rolled out a powerful new artificial intelligence tool for Chrome users, called Select from Screen. This feature allows desktop users to bypass traditional typing or copying and pasting, enabling them to simply highlight any area on their screen and instantly ask Gemini questions about it.
If you have ever used the popular Circle to Search function on a smartphone, this new tool will feel remarkably familiar and convenient.
How the Select from Screen Feature Works
Available with Chrome version 149, this tool lets you send any portion of your screen directly into a Gemini prompt. Instead of manually describing what you see, you can visually select the content and let the AI analyze it for you.
Here are some practical examples of how it can be used:
- Online Shopping: When browsing for running shoes and feeling uncertain, you can select the image of a shoe and ask Gemini, “Which of these is best for running?”
- Studying or Research: Select a complex diagram or chart on a webpage and request a simplified explanation in plain language.
- Design Work: Pick a section of a website layout and ask Gemini for fresh design ideas or improvements.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Select from Screen
Using the feature is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click on the Ask Gemini button located at the top of the browser.
- Select the plus (+) icon to open the Add menu.
- Choose Select from Screen from the available options.
- Use your mouse to draw a box around the specific area of the webpage you want to query.
- Type your question into the text box that appears below and press enter to search.
- To exit the selection mode at any time, simply press the Esc key on your keyboard.
You can also adjust the selection box by dragging its edges to resize it or moving the entire box to a different area of the screen as needed.
Important Details for Users
This new functionality is included in Chrome version 149. If you do not see the feature in your browser, you may need to update Chrome and restart it.
To update Chrome, navigate to the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner, go to Settings, then click on About Chrome. The browser will automatically check for and install the latest version.
