Google Chrome Now Has Split-Screen Mode (and Two More New Productivity Features).
While I generally consider Chrome a mature, full-featured browser, it’s nice to see Google continue to make meaningful improvements. The latest Google Chrome desktop update introduces three new productivity features: split-screen view, PDF annotations, and the ability to save downloaded files directly to Google Drive. According to the company, these features are designed for both consumer and enterprise users, so you don’t need to worry about Workspace exclusivity. Let’s explore each new feature and how to best use them.
Split screen mode can improve productivity.
Over the years, the web browser has become something of a super app, providing access to a multitude of useful websites and web apps. I often use Chrome to take notes during online meetings or keep a second tab open for research while writing articles. For many people, a single Chrome tab or window is no longer enough, and with this in mind, Google has added Split View to the desktop version of its browser.
Split Screen mode combines two tabs and displays them in a single window. It’s similar to the split-screen mode in old video games. To use Split Screen mode, right-click any tab and select “Add tab to new split screen.” Chrome currently allows a maximum of two tabs at a time in Split Screen mode, though I hope to add the ability to add more tabs in the future. In its current form, this feature is great for working with Google Docs while watching a tutorial or in similar situations with two tabs. Finally, you no longer have to open separate tabs in separate windows and then resize them to create your own impromptu split screen.
You can easily drag the slider between two tabs to make one tab take up more screen space than the other. Or, for more control, you can click the “Split View” button to the left of the address bar and select “Arrange Split View” (this is also available by right-clicking the combined tabs on the tab bar). This is an easy way to quickly rearrange two tabs, split them, or close just one of them.
Annotating PDFs in Chrome
Let’s be honest: Chrome is probably the most widely used PDF viewer. No matter how many fancy PDF editing apps I or my colleagues recommend, you’ll still find and open PDFs in the browser most of the time. Fortunately, you no longer need a separate app for basic annotations. Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer now includes tools for highlighting text, adding notes, and even creating digital signatures. For more complex PDF editing, you’ll still need a separate app , but Chrome is now powerful enough for basic tasks.
Save PDF files directly to Google Drive.
When you download PDFs in Google Chrome, they are saved by default to your computer’s Downloads folder or another location on your hard drive. On your computer, Google now allows you to save these files directly to your Google Drive account. This can be very useful if you want to free up local storage. When you open a PDF in Chrome, you’ll see a Google Drive icon in the toolbar next to the download button. Clicking the Google Drive icon will automatically save the file to your cloud storage in a new folder called “Saved from Chrome.”