Despite its ongoing efforts, Microsoft has faced challenges in winning over new users for its Edge browser, especially in the face of formidable alternatives like Google Chrome and Brave. A portion of its strategy appeared to involve restricting access to certain products, such as Bing AI, exclusively within the Microsoft Edge ecosystem. For instance, users of Google Chrome were unable to utilize the ChatGPT-powered tool directly within their desktop browsers. However, a significant shift has occurred. Following a gradual rollout with limited information, Bing AI Chat has now become broadly available on the Chrome desktop browser.
In the most recent update to the Stable Channel, Microsoft has announced the widespread support of Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise on Chrome desktop, encompassing Mac, Windows, and Linux systems. Furthermore, the company has hinted at forthcoming support for other desktop and mobile browsers, although a specific timeline has not been disclosed.
Upon visiting bing.com using a Chrome desktop browser, users will now find the Bing Chat option prominently displayed at the top of the screen. Upon clicking, the interface transforms into a chat window where an AI-powered bot prompts users to enter their queries. The responses generated by the AI are accompanied by a series of citations, offering transparency on the sources of information.
Unsurprisingly, Google stands as one of Microsoft’s prominent rivals in the AI arena. Recent developments shed light on Google’s Gemini project, an ambitious endeavor aimed at outpacing the AI capabilities of its competitors. The launch of ChatGPT reportedly triggered a considerable internal response at Google, prompting a significant shift in focus toward AI-related initiatives. To spearhead this endeavor, the company brought onboard key figures, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Speculation suggests that the AI-based product under the Gemini project could see its debut as early as the upcoming fall season.
In addition to the expansion of Bing Chat support for Chrome on desktop, Microsoft has also announced that Bing Chat Enterprise is now accessible on the mobile version of its Edge browser. The company has also made user-friendly tweaks to the search page’s UI for enhanced readability. While these incremental improvements are noteworthy, it remains to be seen whether they will be persuasive enough to entice users of alternative browsers to make the switch to Microsoft Edge.
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