Google launches Windows desktop app with macOS Spotlight-like search

Google has launched a Windows desktop application that brings a macOS Spotlight-like search experience to Windows users globally. The "Google app for desktop" is now available for Windows 10 and later in English worldwide after testing began in September. The app brings the "best of Google Search right to your desktop" according to Google. Users can open a search box with the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut to search the web, Google Drive, local files, and installed apps. The ability to search local files and installed apps creates a very Mac Spotlight-like experience. Web search includes AI Mode with the ability to invoke Google Lens for specific searches, translate text and images, get homework help, and more features. There is also the ability to share your entire screen or a specific window to ask contextual questions. Results open in a floating window with the ability to ask follow-up prompts. The user interface aligns closely with the mobile Google Search experience. Google is framing the application as a continuation of the mobile clients that phone users are already familiar with. The company rarely makes consumer desktop apps, instead favoring the browser with Progressive Web Apps. The Google desktop app joins Google Drive for desktop, Quick Share, Google Play Games, and Chrome as one of the few desktop applications from the company. There is no word yet on a macOS version, but the Gemini team is reportedly working on such an application.