- You can now open two tabs in Chrome Split View without having to rely on operating system alternatives
- Annotations, such as highlights and notes, will also come to Chrome’s PDF viewer.
- Save PDF files directly to Drive without having to download or upload them again
Google has announced a series of new updates to its Chrome browser in a bid to make it the ultimate all-in-one productivity app, with deeper cloud storage integration and a new split view.
With Chrome Split View, Chrome allows users to view two tabs simultaneously in a bid to reduce “tab back and forth fatigue,” which can be enabled by right-clicking on a tab and selecting Split View mode.
Chrome product manager Alex Tsu says early testing has proven effective, although Google did not quantify the benefits. Of course, similar experiences are already available in OS-level split view configurations, including on Windows and macOS.
Chrome 145 adds improvements to the split view and PDF experience
Split View works by displaying two tabs within a single Chrome browser pane, rather than running two separate windows side by side. The tab bar at the top also indicates when a tab is running in Split View.
Chrome 145 also introduces a tool that allows users to save PDF files directly to their Google Drive without having to download and upload them again. Files will automatically be saved to a ‘Saved from Chrome’ folder; For now, it appears that users will not be able to select exactly where they want to save a PDF.
Chrome PDF Viewer also includes built-in annotation tools in response to user feedback, including text highlighting and notes. Once again, Google hopes that not having to download PDF files will not only increase efficiency but also save local storage.
On the Google Drive side, the company updated its PDF viewer interface in December with revamped menus and toolbars. There is also a full Gemini dashboard available for subscribers to get deeper insights into their files.
“Whether you’re looking for ways to get through your to-do list faster, working hard to get your side hustle off the ground, or simply spending most of your day in the browser, Chrome has your back,” the company wrote.
“We also know that your time is valuable, so we obsess over all the little details to make your Chrome experience as useful as possible.”
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