Google is testing a faster way to summarize PDFs without leaving Chrome
Android Police 2026-06-29 16:45:40
Context: Google is testing a new feature in its Chrome browser that allows users to quickly summarize PDFs using a native AI summarization tool. This feature is currently available in the Chrome Beta channel and is accessible through a hidden flag. The development was highlighted by PiunikaWeb, and it aims to make it easier for users to get a concise summary of lengthy PDF documents.
Key Facts
- Google Chrome's native PDF reader has recently received an upgrade that allows users to annotate PDFs directly in the browser, and now the company is testing a new AI summarization tool that can summarize PDFs without leaving Chrome.
- The new feature, which is currently hidden behind a flag in the Chrome Beta channel, adds a dedicated "Summarize with Gemini" button to the top-aligned toolbar of the Chrome PDF viewer.
- When the "Summarize with Gemini" button is tapped, the tool automatically sends a summarization request to Chrome's Gemini side panel, which then displays the summary and allows users to pose follow-up questions.
- The addition of a dedicated "Summarize" button for PDFs may feel redundant for power users who are already familiar with the Gemini side panel, but it can serve as a useful gateway to introduce users to the side panel's capabilities.
- The new feature is not yet widely available, even in Chrome Beta, and it is unclear when or if it will be rolled out to users in the stable version of the browser.