Google Ditches Search Button, Embracing AI-Powered Homepage
Google is testing a new homepage design that replaces the classic 'Google Search' button with AI-related functions. For some desktop users, the familiar search bar disappears and is replaced by three new buttons: 'Create images', 'Ask about files', and 'Brainstorm'. These buttons allow users to directly access various AI tools without first initiating a traditional search query.
The 'Create images' button uses Google's AI image generator, called 'Nano Banana,' which suggests suitable image descriptions and automatically generates images from them. However, this function requires signing in with a Google account. The other two buttons, 'Ask about files' and 'Brainstorm', can be used without logging in.
The new interface clearly shows that Google wants to make its generative AI services more visible than before. Despite the noticeable change, Robby Stein, Vice President of Google Search, emphasizes that users can continue to enter search terms as usual and start their query by pressing the Enter key.