Your Google Chrome app is getting 5 helpful new features

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published June 27, 2024

An Android phone showing Android 15. — Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

The Google Chrome app for iOS and Android is introducing numerous new features to make searching in Chrome easier than ever. These features are either going live now with the latest Google Chrome app update or launching on the iPhone 15, Galaxy S24, and other devices later this year.

Google is introducing additional Chrome Actions to help you find local places. When searching for a restaurant, you will see shortcut buttons in the search results that allow you to call the restaurant, get directions, and access reviews. Android users can access this new feature in Chrome now, while iOS users must wait for a fall update.

New shortcut suggestions on Google Chrome. — Google

Google Chrome for Android and iOS is also getting a new feature that suggests shortcuts for added personalization. For instance, if you typically search for “tickets” to find available concert tickets on the Ticketmaster website, the Ticketmaster website will now have a higher ranking in your search results.

Redesigned address bar in Google Chrome on tablets. — Google

The latest Chrome update has also added a redesigned address bar for Android tablets and iPads. The refresh aligns with Google’s Material You design language and uses larger displays. Moreover, when using the address bar, the website is always visible below the drop-down when you decide to return to it.

Recommended Videos

The most recent Google Chrome update has also added trending search suggestions to the address bar in iOS, a feature already available on Android. When you tap the address bar from the New Tab page, trends will show below your recent searches.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Finally, Chrome’s Discover Feed now includes new live sports cards that make tracking your favorite teams easier. The cards automatically update with the latest happenings on the field or court.

While these aren’t game-changing new features on their own, we’re all for anything to make web browsing a bit easier. When you add all of these things together, that’s exactly what they should do.

Topics

Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

The YouTube mobile app is getting a small redesign. Here’s what’s changing

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 playing a YouTube video.

How do you feel about the YouTube app on iOS and Android? Most of us use the app and don't think twice about it, but YouTube announced a lot of changes in October. Some of these planned updates have begun to roll out, and they're worth paying attention to — especially because one of them is difficult to notice. The updated bottom bar is a subtle change, but it adds a bit of flair.

The updated bottom bar is part of a server-side update, which means you don't have to download a new version of YouTube to see it. However, you should ensure you're using the latest version of the YouTube app. For Android, that's 19.47, and it's 19.49 for iOS. The update hasn't reached all devices yet — I still don't see it on my own phone — but it should be applied by the end of the day.

Mobile

Best apps to get your phone Christmas ready

iPhone 15 Pro held in hand in front of a Christmas tree.

As the year winds down, the holidays get closer. Whether you love them or not, your phone is a vital way to make sure you make it through this stressful period with your sanity intact. Thankfully, your smartphone, whether it’s an Android or an iPhone, has plenty of ways to keep yourself busy when you just want some space from friends and family. They also offer multiple ways to entertain your guests.

Here are some apps and games to keep you and everyone happy this holiday season. Think of it as a holiday survival guide, with a selection of apps for every circumstance.
Heads Up!

Mobile

6 excellent iPhone apps that I wish were available on Android

Four iPhone exclusive apps and associated widgets on an iPhone 16 Pro homescreen

For the past 15 years, the way we think about and use technology has been completely reshaped. What was once a hardware-first industry quickly became a software-first one, and this radical evolution of technology can be traced back to one pivotal moment. In 2009, Apple debuted the iPhone 3G and the first App Store. This launch ushered in a new era: the smartphone, complete with apps. It also debuted one of the best commercials, complete with a catchphrase that is sometimes still used today: There’s an app for that.

For many years, the iPhone had a plethora of apps that were not available on Android. While most of these are now available cross-platform, not every developer has embraced the billions of potential customers who don’t have an iPhone. Even now, some apps launch first on iOS and can take months or years to launch on Android.

nproxy.org