8 Features Google Should Add to Chrome
Google Chrome has been the world’s favorite browser for about a decade. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best browser. Browsers like Vivaldi and Opera have more advanced feature sets than Chrome. Even Edge includes some notable features Chrome doesn’t have.
Seldom has Chrome ever had cutting-edge features not seen before in other browsers. However, users can at least extend Chrome’s features in many ways thanks to that browser’s massive library of extensions. Regardless, here are eight features we think Google should add to Chrome.
1. Context Menu Bookmarks
There is certainly room to expand Chrome’s right-click context menu, for which customization options are non-existent. Options to add bookmarks to the context menu would be a good starting point. A bookmarks submenu on Chrome’s submenu would make your favorite webpages more directly accessible within the browser.
There are a few extensions available with which you can add bookmarks to Chrome’s context menu. Context Bookmarks and Context Menu Bookmarks are two such extensions worth noting. Both add a bookmarks bar (or folder) submenu to Chrome’s context menu, from which you can access sites.
2. Split Screen Mode
A split screen mode for viewing multiple tabs in one window is a feature Vivaldi already has. you may also enable a split screen mode in Edge Canary. Vivaldi’s split-screen mode feature (also known as tab tiling) enables its users to view up to several pages simultaneously without having to open multiple windows.
So, it would be good to have such a feature in Chrome. For now, Chrome users must open multiple windows to simultaneously view different pages side-by-side. There are some split-screen mode extensions for Chrome, but they only organize tabs into different window layouts.
3. Vertical Tabs
Tab sidebars that display page tabs vertically already exist in Microsoft Edge and Vivaldi. In many respects, it makes more sense to have vertical tabs because a sidebar can easily fit more tabs without resizing them. Tabs don’t shrink when you have lots of them open in a sidebar, like they do on a horizontal bar. Users can extend the width of sidebars to fit all tabs’ titles.
Chrome doesn’t currently incorporate any sidebar feature for tabs. You can add a tabbed sidebar to Chrome with numerous extensions. Check out the Vertical Tabs, Vertical Tabs & Bookmarks, and Tree-Style Tab extensions to see what a page tab sidebar feature in Chrome could be like.
4. Macro Recorder Tool
Some productivity software packages like Microsoft Word include macro-recorder tools with which users can record and then replay repetitious tasks. A similar macro recorder in Chrome would be an invaluable tool for web browsing. Such a feature would enable you to set up macros for opening multiple website pages, logging into websites, or filling out web forms.
What you can also do with macros is assign hotkeys to them. Thus, a macro recorder would give you a way to create keyboard shortcuts that trigger certain browser tasks. For example, you could create a macro hotkey that opens a group of webpages when pressed.
To see what a Chrome macro recorder could be like, add the popular iMacros extension to that browser. That extension enables you to record, edit, and play macro scripts within Chrome. Wildfire is an alternative macro-recording extension that comes with a workflow editor. Thisguide to recording macros in Chromeincludes guidelines for utilizing both those extensions.
5. Sticky Notes
Many users need to note things down when browsing the web, be it codes, dates, log-in, or product details. However, Chrome doesn’t have any feature for saving notes. A sticky notes feature would be a most welcome addition to Chrome. Such a feature would enable users to stick reminders, task lists, or any other kind of note to web pages.
You canadd sticky notes to webpagesin Chrome with extensions such as Beanote and Note Anywhere. Those add-ons enable you to add sticky notes to pages via Chrome’s context menu. Beanote also comes with a highlighter for highlighting text on pages, which is another feature Chrome could do with.
6. A Customizable Scrollbar
Chrome doesn’t have any built-in options for customizing the scrollbar. Adding some options for changing Chrome’s scrollbar would make the browser more customizable. For example, the browser should have settings for changing the scrollbar’s color scheme, width, and slider style. It would also be good to have options for adjusting the scroll speed in Chrome.
Custom Scrollbar is the best extension for adding such functionality to Chrome. Our guide tocustomizing Chrome’s scrollbarincludes guidelines for utilizing that extension. you’re able to adjust the scrolling speed effect with SmoothScroll.
7. Mouse Gestures
Mouse gestures enable users to perform certain actions with pre-defined movements of the mouse. Vivaldi and Opera both incorporate such an innovative feature. The Vivaldi browser has a default set of mouse gestures, but also enables users to create their own. Those mouse gestures enhance browsing flexibility.
It’s a pity Chrome doesn’t have mouse gestures, which is another feature Google should add to its flagship browser. CrxMouse Chrome Gestures is one of the best extensions for enabling this feature in Google Chrome. SmartUp Gestures is an alternative add-on with which you may set up both right-click and mouse wheel gestures.
8. Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts
Opera and Vivaldi both enable users to customize their default keyboard shortcuts. However, you’re able to only set hotkeys for activating extensions in Chrome. Options for changing Chrome’s default hotkeys would be another welcome customization feature. It would be even better if Chrome enabled users to set up keyboard shortcuts for opening bookmarked websites.
If you want to customize Chrome’s keyboard shortcuts, you can do so with the Shortkeys (Custom Keyboard Shortcuts) extension. That extension enables you to set up custom hotkeys for a wide variety of browser actions or opening websites. Or, you can set up 25 custom hotkeys with the Keyboard Shortcuts add-on.
Extra Features Would Make Chrome Even Better
So, there are various ways Google could enhance Google Chrome’s feature set. Vivaldi and Opera are more appealing browsers for power users because they include superior customization and web-browsing features.
The above features would make Chrome a more versatile and customizable browser than it currently is. But for now, make sure you’re using all of Chrome’s hidden features to ensure you’re getting the most out of the browser.
If you’re looking to improve your browsing experience within Google Chrome, here are six of the best hidden features to help you out.
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