According to Windows Report | Error-free Tech Life, the Comet Browser has finally added a native tab search feature, a standard tool found in Chrome and Microsoft Edge that was conspicuously absent. Previously, Comet users had to rely on the browser’s built-in AI assistant to find or reopen tabs, even for simple lookups. The new feature is accessed via a “Search tabs” menu option or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + A, which opens a central panel listing all open and recently closed tabs. This panel allows quick switching and tab reopening without diving into the full history page. Importantly, the search only filters by tab titles and URLs, not page content, leaving deeper cross-tab searches to the AI assistant. This update aligns Comet with other Chromium browsers while maintaining its “Agentic” AI identity.
A Feature That Shouldn’t Be News
Here’s the thing: a dedicated tab search is table stakes for any modern browser, especially one built on Chromium. The fact that Comet launched without it and forced users to query an AI for something as basic as “find my YouTube tab” was… a curious choice. It felt like using a power drill to hammer in a nail. Sure, the assistant could do it, but it was overkill and probably slower for a simple task. This move feels like Comet acknowledging that not every interaction needs to be a conversation with an AI. Sometimes you just need a list and a search box. And that’s okay.
Design Choices and User Impact
Comet’s implementation is interesting. Instead of tucking the search into the tab bar like Chrome, they’ve gone with a centered modal panel, which they say is closer to Vivaldi’s style. It’s a more in-your-face design, which makes it hard to miss but also more disruptive. Is that better? For users drowning in tabs, having a big, clear list front and center might actually be a relief. The inclusion of a “Recently closed” section right there is a smart, user-friendly touch that eliminates steps. For the average user, this is a straight-up win. It’s faster, more intuitive, and gives them back a sense of direct control. They wanted a shortcut, and now they have one—literally, the same keyboard shortcut as Chrome and Edge, which is great for muscle memory.
The AI Assistant Isn’t Going Anywhere
Now, don’t think this means Comet is backing off its AI-centric pitch. Not at all. They’re very clear that for searching *inside* the content of all your open tabs, the assistant is still the tool for the job. This split makes sense. Basic tab-finding is a UI/UX problem. Understanding and synthesizing information across multiple web pages is an AI problem. By separating them, Comet can hopefully make both tools better. The assistant gets to be the powerful, context-aware feature it’s meant to be, and the tab search can be a lean, fast utility. It’s a smarter positioning for both features.
Comet’s Tightrope Walk
This update highlights the tightrope Comet is walking. They want to be this innovative, agentic browser that rethinks how we interact with the web, but they also have to deliver the fundamental, expected experience of a capable Chromium browser. Features like automatic Picture-in-Picture, Split View, and now native tab search check the “capable browser” box. The dark mode toggle and protection of the New Tab page from extensions are nice pro-user touches. But they’re still the underdog, as evidenced by Google reportedly prompting users to switch to Chrome when visiting Google’s homepage within Comet. Adding these expected features isn’t just about convenience; it’s about removing friction and reasons *not* to use Comet, so its unique AI features actually get a chance to shine. Basically, they have to be a great browser first, and a smart assistant second.
