Google is experimenting with a new AI-powered browser called Disco that turns traditional tab-based browsing into interactive, task-focused web experiences.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Google is testing Disco, a new AI browser that removes the need for multiple tabs.
- Powered by Gemini 3, the browser builds custom web apps called GenTabs based on your activity and queries.
- GenTabs can help users plan trips, study, or organize tasks by blending AI-generated tools with actual web content.
- Currently in limited testing, Disco is part of Google Labs and available to macOS users via waitlist.
What Happened?
Google has launched a new experimental browser called Disco, built on the Chromium framework and powered by its latest AI model, Gemini 3. The main feature of Disco is called GenTabs, which replaces traditional tabs with interactive AI-generated web applications tailored to the user’s task. This innovation aims to simplify complex online workflows like planning trips or studying, by consolidating scattered information into a single, dynamic interface.
GenTabs: A Smarter Way to Browse
At the core of Disco is the concept of GenTabs, or generated tabs, which blend your open web tabs, search queries, and even Gemini chat history into a custom-built web app. Whether you’re planning a vacation, creating a meal plan, or studying for an exam, GenTabs takes the chaos of multiple tabs and transforms it into an organized, interactive project space.
- Users can create GenTabs using natural language prompts in a sidebar chat interface.
- Each GenTab links back to the original websites used as sources, maintaining transparency and credibility.
- The generated apps can include maps, calendars, planners, visual models, and more.
This approach goes beyond simply displaying search results. It invites users to collaborate with AI, adding their own tabs and refining the experience as they go. For instance, a trip planner GenTab may initially include flight and hotel links, but users can add restaurant guides or event listings, which the AI will fold into the itinerary.
A Browser That Builds Instead of Just Browses
Disco is not just another Chrome clone. While it is built on Chromium and retains a familiar interface, its functionality is distinctly AI-first and project-focused. Clicking to start a new GenTab feels less like opening a browser tab and more like launching a mini web app, tailored to your task.
- For educational use, GenTabs can build flashcards or interactive diagrams.
- For complex decisions like moving homes, they can include price calculators, tip checklists, and comparison tools.
- Users can refine the generated interfaces through continued conversation with Gemini.
According to Manini Roy, who leads an innovation lab on the Chrome team, GenTabs encourage users to stay engaged with the web rather than rely solely on chatbot answers. “That is where the grounding is that the GenTabs are using to create themselves,” she said, emphasizing the importance of incorporating user research into the AI process.
Not a Chrome Replacement
Disco began as a hackathon project within Google and has now matured into a limited-access experiment in Google Labs. It’s currently available only to a small group of testers on macOS, with a waitlist open for early adopters.
Parisa Tabriz, who leads the Chrome team, clarified that Disco is not intended to replace Chrome but to explore what a more task-oriented, AI-powered web experience might look like. She explained:
Still, there are open questions: Are GenTabs temporary or permanent? Can they be shared? Will this idea evolve into its own app or become a new feature within Chrome or Google Workspace? Google is watching closely and collecting feedback to help decide.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I love seeing this kind of bold experimentation from Google. As someone who constantly juggles tabs, projects, and research, the idea of AI turning my browsing clutter into personalized apps is genuinely exciting. It feels like a smarter, more intentional way to use the web. Disco isn’t perfect yet and may not replace Chrome tomorrow, but it’s a glimpse into a future where AI works with us, not just for us. I’m signing up for the waitlist and you probably should too.
