Google Chrome is gearing up to introduce a major update, transforming both its appearance and user experience.
This significant revamp, announced by the tech behemoth prior to its 15th anniversary, aims for a more contemporary, streamlined look while enhancing customization features for its users.
With this update, users can select their preferred browser color themes and benefit from a ‘night mode’.
Additionally, streamlined menus will provide quicker access to tools like Google Translate, Password Manager, and other extensions.
A unique feature named ‘Search this page with Google’ will let users search within the website they’re on, eliminating the need to open a new search window.
This will facilitate tasks such as searching related content, locating image sources, or deeper information exploration without leaving the page.
The update will also integrate Google’s Bard AI tool, which summarizes web pages, making information retrieval more efficient.
Furthermore, the Chrome Web Store will undergo a makeover, with Google revamping the platform for enhanced user engagement, enabling easier installation of new themes and extensions.
The tech firm recently announced a text-to-speech functionality for Chrome’s reading mode on desktops, according to a report by Android Police.
This capability resembles a feature I use on Instapaper, and its potential application within Chrome seems promising, allowing users to conveniently listen to articles while working within their preferred browser.
Reportedly accessible in Chrome Canary, Google’s advanced Chrome version, an individual identified as Leopeva64 shared insights about this innovation.
For users with access to the feature, a play button situated at the article’s top in reading mode can be clicked to initiate Google’s reading of the content. Leopeva64 additionally posted a Reddit link containing a video demonstration of the feature’s operation.
Nonetheless, the video reveals areas where Google could enhance its functionality. The text-to-speech voice comes across as somewhat robotic, and it reads out the header as “summary” instead of smoothly pronouncing the word.
