Google launches native Gemini app for macOS to rival Apple Intelligence

Google has officially expanded its artificial intelligence ecosystem with the launch of a dedicated Gemini app for macOS, marking a significant milestone in how desktop users interact with generative technology.

Released on Wednesday, the application introduces a native experience that allows users to summon the assistant from anywhere on their desktop using a simple "Option + Space" keyboard shortcut.

This opens a floating chat bubble, effectively removing the need to switch between windows or rely on a browser tab.

The application features a sophisticated "Share Window" option which, once granted system accessibility permissions, allows Gemini to see and analyse the content of any active window.

Whether a user is viewing a complex spreadsheet, a web page, or a video, the AI can provide specific, context-aware assistance.

Google describes the launch as "the first step in a larger roadmap to create a personal and proactive desktop assistant," signalling a direct challenge to integrated solutions from Apple and Microsoft.

Furthermore, the Mac app includes full support for Google’s newest creative models: Nano Banana for high-fidelity image generation and Veo for natively generated video.

While the core application is free to download, Google has introduced tiered subscription plans to cater to different user needs.

These include "Google AI Plus" for £7.99 per month, "Google AI Pro" for £19.99, and the high-tier "Google AI Ultra" at £24.99 per month.

This move essentially transforms Gemini from a standalone website into a core component of the macOS operating system, acting as a "second set of eyes" for professional workflows.