{"id":23331,"date":"2026-02-19T19:02:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=23331"},"modified":"2026-02-19T19:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:02:11","slug":"as-browser-wars-heat-up-chrome-adds-new-productivity-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=23331","title":{"rendered":"As browser wars heat up, Chrome adds new productivity features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p id=\"speakable-summary\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/07\/09\/perplexity-launches-comet-an-ai-powered-web-browser\/\">AI<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/10\/21\/openai-launches-an-ai-powered-browser-chatgpt-atlas\/\">companies<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/06\/11\/the-browser-company-launches-its-ai-first-browser-dia-in-beta\/\">startups<\/a> push their way into the <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/10\/21\/as-the-browser-wars-heat-up-here-are-the-hottest-alternatives-to-chrome-and-safari-in-2025\/\">web browser market,<\/a> the world\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/gs.statcounter.com\/browser-market-share\">biggest<\/a> browser, Google Chrome, is <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.google\/products-and-platforms\/products\/chrome\/chrome-productivity-improvements\/\">rolling out<\/a> a handful of new features. The company on Thursday announced the official launch of a trio of options, including Split View, PDF annotations, and a \u201cSave to Google Drive\u201d feature, designed to more deeply integrate Chrome with one of Google\u2019s other online services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While these particular additions aren\u2019t focused on AI, <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/09\/18\/google-brings-gemini-in-chrome-to-us-users-unveils-agentic-browsing-capabilities-and-more\/\">Google already integrated its Gemini AI assistant into Chrome<\/a>. The move was made in response to the increased competition from AI providers like OpenAI and Perplexity, which are dabbling in agentic browsers. These so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/10\/21\/as-the-browser-wars-heat-up-here-are-the-hottest-alternatives-to-chrome-and-safari-in-2025\/\">browser wars<\/a> have pushed Google to be less stagnant in terms of developing and releasing more consumer-facing features.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Split View, multitasking in Chrome has become easier as the feature puts two pages side-by-side in the same tab. This lets you work across two webpages or watch a video while taking notes, among other things. To use the feature, you\u2019ll drag a tab to the left or right edge of the browser window or right-click a link and select \u201cOpen Link in Split View.\u201d The tabs will automatically snap into place. When no longer needed, you can exit the Split View layout via an option found via a right-click.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"440\" width=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?w=680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3094518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp 1000w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=150,97 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=300,194 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=768,497 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=680,440 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=430,278 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=720,466 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=900,582 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=800,518 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=668,432 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=580,375 580w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=954,617 954w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=708,458 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Chrome_Productivity_Blog_Split_V.width-1000.format-webp.webp?resize=50,32 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another practical addition is the PDF annotations feature, which lets you add notes to a PDF or highlight its text from the browser. This means you don\u2019t have to download the PDF and then open it in another application to work with its content. The option, a long time coming, could make it much simpler to do basic PDF tasks, like digitally signing a document, filling out a form, making notes within a file or personal document, and more. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"439\" width=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?w=680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3094513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg 1380w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=150,97 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=300,193 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=768,495 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=680,439 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=1200,774 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=1280,826 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=430,277 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=720,464 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=900,580 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=800,516 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=668,431 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=581,375 581w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=957,617 957w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=708,457 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.12.43-PM.jpg?resize=50,32 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, the new Save to Google Drive feature will allow you to save any PDF directly to your Google Drive account, instead of your computer, where it may get lost. When using this feature, the saved files will appear in a \u201cSaved from Chrome\u201d folder in your Drive, making them easy to find. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"456\" width=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?w=680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3094511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg 1442w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=150,101 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=768,516 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=680,456 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=1200,806 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=1280,859 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=430,289 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=720,483 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=900,604 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=800,537 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=668,448 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=559,375 559w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=919,617 919w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=708,475 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chrome-update-at-1.13.04-PM.jpg?resize=50,34 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today\u2019s update follows the expansion of <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/01\/28\/chrome-takes-on-ai-browsers-with-tighter-gemini-integration-agentic-features-for-autonomous-tasks\/\">Gemini and other agentic features<\/a> to Chromebook users last month. And soon, Chrome is poised to adopt <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/home-and-office\/work-life\/i-tested-chromes-soon-to-be-released-vertical-tab-feature-and-it-makes-the-browser-so-much-better\/\">another change<\/a> that was first spearheaded by its competitors: support for vertical tabs. (Tech-savvy users can even enable that option now, in an experimental phase, <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/bramus\/status\/2012094220627071117\">by changing a flag<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This reimagined way to organize open tabs was one of the flagship features in <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2024\/03\/21\/the-browser-company-raises-50-million-at-550-million-valuation\/\">The Browser Company\u2019s <\/a>first alternative browser, Arc, and is now found in its <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/11\/03\/dias-ai-browser-starts-adding-arcs-greatest-hits-to-its-feature-set\/\"> AI browser, Dia.<\/a> By adding this feature and the others, Google hopes to give Chrome users fewer reasons to switch. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-techcrunch-inline-cta\">\n<div class=\"inline-cta__wrapper\">\n<p>Techcrunch event<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-cta__content\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__location\">Boston, MA<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__separator\">|<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"inline-cta__date\">June 23, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/19\/as-browser-wars-heat-up-chrome-adds-new-productivity-features\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As AI companies and startups p&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[249],"tags":[724,2979,715],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23331"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}