Google Chrome has officially turned 10! When we first introduced Chrome in 2008, a browser experience was quite simple ‘ you typed in an address and expected content to show up. Now, websites look and operate completely differently and people expect more from their browser, so to celebrate 10 years of Chrome, we’re giving the world’s most popular and secure web browser its biggest update ever.
As icing on the cake, we’ve also put together 10 things you might not know you can do with Google Chrome to help you get the most out of your browsing experience.
- Just in time for Chrome’s 10th anniversary, it’s getting a whole new look. Chrome is typically updated every 6 weeks, but we wanted the update that coincides with its 10th birthday to be special. Starting from 4th September 2 billion users around the world will start to see some new features. From redesigned tabs to a refreshed password manager that more proactively encourages you to create stronger passwords, this is Chrome’s biggest update in the last decade.
- Translate web pages on demand. The power of Google Translate is baked into Chrome’s functionality as you browse sites in a foreign language. But sometimes you don’t see the “Translate” button pop up right away; don’t worry, just right click on the page and choose “Translate to ….”
- Multi-tab like a pro. Having too many tabs open in one window is a productivity dealbreaker. Break them up by holding Ctrl to click on multiple tabs and select them, then drag all the tabs to a new window or to an existing window.
- Navigate your tabs straight from your keyboard. You can save 8 days of time per year using keyboard shortcuts. Try this one in Chrome: jump between tabs at light speed by pressing Ctrl and the tab number you want to go to (i.e. Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3)
- Search with more specificity. Pressing the “tab” key after you type in a URL allows you to search within that site (e.g. twitter.com + “tab” key + whatever you’d like to search).
- Manage your tabs from your commute to your desk. Open Chrome and click on “History.” From the drop-down menu, click “Full History” and “Tabs From Other Devices.” If you’re signed into the same Google account on both your phone and your computer, you’ll see the article you were just about to finish on your way into work.
- Don’t miss those Beyonce tickets while looking for your wallet. Save your card information in Chrome whenever you’re paying for something. Once you enter your card, you’ll see a prompt asking whether you’d like to save your information. Say yes to keep it safe and handy for when you need it quickly.
- Manage and protect your passwords. Chrome has a password manager that suggests super secure passwords for you and stores them in one safe place. All you have to do is type “chrome://settings” and scroll down to “Passwords and Forms.” From there you can access saved passwords and opt in or out of certain management features.
- Stuck underground without a signal? Find Chrome’s secret game – updated for its birthday month with a birthday hat and cake! We’ve all been there: you’re trying to load a news article, urgent email, or video when you suddenly lose Internet access. However, downtime doesn’t have to be a downer: the 8-bit dinosaur you see on the Chrome page turns into a game! Just press the spacebar or tap the screen. You can also play while connected ‘ just type “chrome://dino” into your address bar.
- Type easily in emoji. With the new Chrome, you’ll be able to use a new right-click shortcut to access emoji on any platform Chrome can be found.
