Google's iOS App to Simplify Jargon with AI

Google has introduced a new AI tool designed to help iPhone users better comprehend complex or confusing online content. Starting today, the Simplify feature is available in the Google app on iOS, allowing users to generate a clearer and more understandable version of any highlighted text without leaving the current webpage.

Simplify is built on Google's Gemini AI model and developed by Google Research. Its purpose is to make it easier for anyone to grasp technical jargon without losing essential details. For instance, Simplify can break down medical terms like "emphysema" (a condition that damages the air sacs in the lungs) and "fibrosis" (dense connective tissue or scar formation due to injury) found in reports and journals, enabling readers to understand these terms without needing to look them up on a separate page.

Google mentioned that during testing, users found the simplified versions "significantly more helpful than the original complex text." However, the company acknowledged that the research had "limitations" and emphasized the need for "ongoing vigilance" to monitor potential errors.

To use this feature in the iOS Google app, simply highlight any text on a website, then tap the Simplify icon that appears in the menu options. When asked if Simplify would be available for Android and desktop Chrome users, Google spokesperson Jennifer Kutz told The Verge, "We don't have anything to announce at this time, but we're always looking to bring useful features to more of our products."