Chrome for Android updated with group tabs and grid layout

1 min readUpdated Sep 20, 2019Oct 3, 201911:14 PM

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Google is bringing important improvements to its mobile browser – Chrome. The app received many updates that added loads of new features since its initial release seven years ago, but few included tabs improvements.

Well, that’s about to change, as Google has announced that over the next few weeks, Android users will see a new grid layout, which should help them select tabs more easily and preview thumbnails of the tabs they open.

These changes are only meant for Android users since those with iPhones will already see this tab grid layout. Besides the new grid layout, there’s also a new way to group tabs on an Android phone or tablet, which should help users keep track of the open tabs.

You can now easily switch between the tabs in a group using the new tab switcher at the bottom of the screen, after opening one of the grouped tabs. And to make things even more convenient, you can now preview your tabs by hovering over them with your cursor.

Finally, Google is also adding built-in help on both desktop and Android browsers. With the latest version of Chrome, answers will show up inside Chrome’s address bar when you search for something, which means you’ll be getting results faster than ever.

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What this means

Google's updated Chrome for Android, introducing grid layouts and tab grouping, is a practical step likely to improve user experience, reducing friction in mobile browsing. This pressures rival browsers and app developers to refine their own navigation and user interfaces to avoid falling behind. While not directly a retail product, smoother mobile interaction directly benefits e-commerce platforms and in-app purchasing. Unlike strategic partnerships such as AEON and Vincom's General Merchandise Store venture, this is an incremental product enhancement rather than market expansion. Retailers should monitor user engagement metrics on their mobile sites post-update, with the next critical indicator being adoption rates among Android users over the coming weeks.

Maria Santos · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What are the main new features being introduced for Chrome on Android?

Android users will receive a new grid layout for tabs and a new way to group tabs. These updates aim to improve tab selection, previewing, and organisation, making it easier to manage multiple open pages on a phone or tablet.

Are these new tab features also coming to iPhone users of Chrome?

No, these specific tab improvements are not coming to iPhone users. Those with iPhones already have access to the tab grid layout, so the updates are exclusively for Android users to bring their experience up to date.

How will the new group tabs feature work for Android users?

Users can now group tabs on their Android device, which helps organise open pages. Once a grouped tab is open, a new tab switcher at the bottom of the screen allows for easy navigation between tabs within that group.

What is the new help feature being added to Chrome?

Google is adding built-in help to both desktop and Android browsers. When users search for something, answers will appear directly within Chrome's address bar, aiming to provide results more quickly.

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