Google Search Now Builds Custom Apps While You Watch

Google Search just stopped being a search engine and started becoming something closer to a personal assistant who builds things for you.

At Google I/O 2026, the tech giant announced that its search box can now accept photos, videos, files, and even open browser tabs, then respond by creating custom mini-apps tailored to exactly what you need. Ask for help tracking expenses, and it might code you a personalized budget tracker right there on the screen.

The transformation is powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, a new AI model that runs four times faster than competing systems while handling complex tasks at a fraction of the cost. Within just one year of launching AI Mode, Google reports that search queries have more than doubled every quarter, reaching an all-time high last quarter.

The changes go far beyond the search box. Google is introducing Gemini Spark, a background agent that runs even when your laptop is closed, quietly handling digital chores like finding hidden subscriptions in credit card statements or turning meeting notes into polished documents. A feature called Daily Brief scans your emails and calendar each morning to help you prioritize your day.

For online shopping, the system now tracks prices across different sites, warns you about incompatible products, and can even make purchases on your behalf within spending limits you set. It's what Google calls "agentic commerce," where AI doesn't just suggest products but actively manages the buying process.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade from Google West Africa emphasizes that traditional website links aren't disappearing. "We know that users want both AI and the web," he says. The company recently added more inline links with website previews and sections for in-depth articles, ensuring content creators still benefit from search traffic.

The Ripple Effect

This shift could reshape how millions of people work and shop online. Small tasks that used to take multiple apps and browser tabs now happen in one place. Content creators and online retailers are getting new ways to reach customers through AI-generated suggestions and inline links. Even voice-controlled productivity is coming, letting people search Gmail and documents hands-free.

The new search box is already rolling out in all countries where AI Mode is available, bringing what Google calls the "Agentic Era" to everyday life.

For the first time in decades, asking a question might give you not just an answer, but a custom-built solution.