Thanks to a recent code revision to the Chromium project, it appears Google has plans to bring Android’s Google Now to the desktop, arriving by way of Chrome’s own desktop notifications, reports François Beaufort and CNET.
In revision #171868, the following log message reveals that a skeleton has been created for Google Now in Chrome:
Creating a skeleton for Google Now for Chrome implementation.
The CL creates the top-level structure for showing Google Now cards in Chrome via Chrome Notifications.
The implementation lives behind -enable-google-now-integration flag.
As detailed above, Google Now cards will be shown through Chrome Notifications, which already exist in the Chrome Browser. The impact this will have on both Chrome and Android could be massive, and while Google has yet to confirm its plans, the appearance of this code in Chromium signals that Google Now features are more than likely on their way to Chrome.
Following recent updates, Google Now is beginning to look quite tempting to Android users and non-Android users alike. Soon, Google Now could become a selling point for Chrome, and a tool for roping users into the Android experience. Additionally, Chromebooks would benefit from a browser-based notification system, and the inclusion of such would help bridge together all of Google’s devices.
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Last month in our review of the Nexus 4, we wrote that Google Now is the future of Android. Only days ago, Google Now was updated with travel destination weather, local events and song ID by voice features.
Update: A Google spokesperson tells TNW that Google has nothing to announce:
We’re always experimenting with new features in Chrome but have nothing to announce at this time.
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