Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers across the globe and it regularly rolls out fresh updates with new features and bug fixes. Few of these features are available to the public instantly but several are hidden under flags or are only available in the beta version. While the log of each update mentions tons of changes, here are the key features that the tech giant has introduced in 2022 so far.
Ability to change background color
Users can also choose the background and color for Chrome. In case one uses multiple Chrome profiles, he/she can even have a different background for each one. To change Chrome’s background and color, open a new tab and click on Customize Chrome at the bottom right.
Journeys history organizing feature
Google has announced a new Journeys feature for Chrome browser that can help you organize your browsing history. The new feature groups the sites that you have visited based on topic or category. With the new feature, when you type a related word into your search bar and click on “Resume your research” or visit the Chrome History Journeys page, you see a list of relevant sites you visited and can quickly pick up where you left off.
New Chrome Actions
The company has added new Chrome Actions that can help you get more things done directly from the address bar. You can save time with an Action by typing its title. The Chrome address bar also predicts when you could benefit from a Chrome Action based on the words that have been typed. Some of the new Actions include – View your Chrome history, Manage accessibility settings, Share this tab, Play Chrome Dino game, and others.
New widgets for Android smartphones
With the new Chrome widgets for Android, you can quickly start a text search, voice search, Lens search or open an Incognito tab right from your homescreen. There’s even a shortcut to play the Chrome dino game, even if you’re online. Or, if you really love the dino game, there’s a widget dedicated just to our prehistoric friend.
Link sharing feature
With the new link sharing feature, users can highlight a specific part of the page for the receiver before sharing the link. This will send them right to the highlighted part of the page, instead of the top of the page.
Tab search feature
Another feature introduced to the Google Chrome browser is tab search. With multiple tabs open, it is difficult at times to find a particular tab. Now, Chrome users can search for a tab using this feature. To do so, click on the tab search icon at the top of your Chrome window and enter a keyword for the tab you want to search.
Mute audio button for each tab
Google is making it easier for users mute audio from a specific tab. The latest builds of Chrome Canary come with a new flag called “Tab audio muting UI control.” Once enabled, the flag will enable a feature that will allow you to mute audio playing in any app with a single click. Currently, the browser displays a sound indicator on the tab when an audio is playing.
New downloads shortcut in toolbar
Google has started to roll out Chrome 99 on the beta channel. With the new update, the company is rolling out a new shortcut that will allow you to access your downloads with a single click. The tech giant has added a shortcut in the toolbar at the top right corner of the browser. The shortcut is quite similar to the one seen in the Edge browser that turns blue when something is downloading and turns gray when the item is downloaded.
