Google Rolls Out Three New Chrome Features

Google announced on Thursday the rollout of three new productivity features for its Chrome browser, aimed at enhancing multitasking and document management directly within the desktop application. The updates, now available in Chrome version 145 and later, include Split View for side-by-side tab viewing, built-in PDF annotations, and a direct Save to Google Drive option, as the company seeks to streamline user workflows amid intensifying browser competition.

Split View allows users to display two web pages simultaneously in a single window, reducing the need to switch between tabs. To activate it, users can drag a tab to the left or right edge of the browser until it snaps into place, or right-click a link and select "Open Link in Split View." The feature supports tasks such as comparing documents, referencing materials while writing, or watching a video alongside note-taking. A central divider enables resizing the panes, and users can exit the layout by right-clicking and selecting an option to separate or close the split. Early users have reported benefits in professional settings; for instance, one teacher described using it to grade papers while referencing notes, and...