Just a few minor modifications that could lead to significant effects.
What you should be aware of:
– Google pointed out several updates that Chrome for desktop users may find beneficial late this week.
– The company is launching PDF annotations with choices for its pens and colors, a “save to Drive” feature for convenient Cloud storage, and split-view for two tabs.
– Chrome’s latest updates have leaned more towards AI, as Google introduced “help me write,” webpage summaries, and additional features.
Google is finishing the week with several Chrome updates users are likely to observe the next time they use their PC.
A Keyword article compiles Chrome’s latest updates that users can anticipate and may already notice in the browser. One key aspect that Google emphasizes is the introduction of a highly-anticipated feature: PDF annotations. When opening PDFs in Chrome on desktop, Google mentions users can “highlight text and add notes” without requiring a separate application. Users can take actions like signing their names, adding highlights, and more.
The annotation feature is represented by a squiggly icon next to the back and forward buttons in a PDF in Chrome. This opens a side menu that allows users to choose their writing tool preference, along with settings for pen writing size and color.
Another update Google is officially unveiling is the option for users to “save to Drive” from Chrome. This comes on the heels of its PDF annotation update, as users will now notice a Google Drive icon when viewing a PDF. The article states that when checking Drive after saving, users will discover a “saved from Chrome” folder containing their documents.
The final feature in this week’s trio is split view. As the name suggests, users can display the content of two tabs in one cohesive view, reducing the need to switch between tabs constantly. By right-clicking a tab and selecting “split view,” users can create a space to the right to choose another tab. We’ve noticed this feature for the last few days, indicating that Google is simply raising awareness about it.
Enhancing efficiency:
The features Google is spotlighting for Chrome this week are not quite as AI-driven as its recent updates have been. Gemini’s AI capabilities have been making their way into Chrome for some time, including “Help me write,” which we’ve previously encountered in Docs.
With this, any text box that users encounter can serve as a collaboration point for them and the AI to work on a short blurb or something more extensive. All the user needs to do is enter a request and then wait while the AI processes it and provides its output.
Another AI-centric update is Chrome’s summarization features for Android. Via Gemini’s overlay in Chrome, users can swiftly summarize a page’s content without leaving the browser.
Android Central’s Perspective:
For someone who writes (a lot), Chrome’s split view is likely the only feature I find valuable. PDFs aren’t particularly significant in my daily routine. Split view is excellent for reviewing press releases while composing my opinions or views on them in situations like this. While having multiple screens is convenient, this adds just a bit more speed to the process, and I imagine others might feel similarly.