After launching the update for the web, Google is now rolling out Chrome 58 to Android.
Google is regularly adding new features and fixing issues to improve its products. As part of its endeavor, it has announced an update to its Chrome browser. After rolling out the update for the Mac, Linux, and Windows, Google is now rolling out Chrome 58 to Android. The fresh version of Chrome browser for Android gets a handful of nifty features and some performance fixes. The new Chrome 58 (58.0.3029.83) for Android will be available on Google Play over the course of the next week.
The Chrome 58 update focuses more on performance and stability- related issues than bringing any radical change to the table. However, if you have been waiting for the ‘copyless paste’, then this update is unlikely to satiate that need as the feature is expected to be rolled out with the next Android O update. As for the Chrome 58, here are some of the key features and improvements which aim to your web browsing experience better on Android.
1. Downloads
The download feature has been improved in Chrome 58 for Android. You can now view and manage in-progress downloads under the Downloads section. This sort of brings in a desktop-like experience to the mobile in which you can keep a tab on all that is being downloaded and also pause or cancel it seamlessly.
2. Browser history
The new update now features a redesigned History page where you can view and clear your browsing data easily. The redesigned page now has its own dedicated view instead of the regular page with a visible URL bar. Essentially, the layout of the section has been tweaked. ALSO READ: Google adds support for more Indian languages to Gboard, Maps, Translate; to leverage neural machine learning
3. New tabs
With the new update, you can now long-press a link to open it in a new Chrome tab for Chrome Custom Tabs. This feature is similar to how the Safari browser works in the iOS. While there is not much of a value addition but it simply eases out navigation.
4. Full-screen web apps
In the new update, if you open a web app through the Chrome browser, it will open up in full screen. This is part of Google’s initiative called Progressive Web Apps which aims to reduce the difference between the web and native apps by tweaking the interface a bit. With the new update, the Android status and navigation bar can be hidden which allows for a more immersive experience.
5. Autofill
Under the Settings tab, ‘Autofill’ has been renamed to ‘Autofill and payments’. The addresses and saved credit cards options then split into their own dedicated pages. It is to be noted that this feature had been already there but the section has only been renamed to help make it more discoverable for users.
Other than these, there are a range of improvements and finer tweaks under the hood. You can read about these in detail on the Git log.