Chrome's New Update Enhances Desktop Productivity

Daily Technology

·

20/02/2026

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Google is rolling out a significant update for its desktop Chrome browser, introducing a suite of features designed to streamline workflows and boost user productivity. These enhancements focus on improving multitasking and document management directly within the browser, reflecting a broader trend of web browsers evolving into comprehensive work platforms. The new tools are becoming widely available with Chrome 145.

Integrated Split View for Multitasking

Chrome now includes a native Split View, allowing users to open two tabs side-by-side within a single browser window. This feature is designed to combat "tab fatigue" by eliminating the need to constantly switch between tabs. Users can activate it by right-clicking a link and selecting "Open Link in Split View," creating a dual-pane interface where the window size can be adjusted.

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This functionality is particularly useful for tasks that require cross-referencing information. For example, a user can watch a tutorial video in one pane while taking notes in a Google Doc in the other, or compare product specifications from two different websites simultaneously without juggling separate windows.

Direct PDF Annotation

The browser's built-in PDF viewer has been upgraded with annotation capabilities. Users can now highlight text and add notes directly to PDF files without leaving Chrome. A new toolbar provides options for color and size, making it simple to mark up documents on the fly.

This update removes the cumbersome step of downloading a file and opening a separate application for basic edits. It's a practical tool for students marking up research papers, professionals adding quick signatures to contracts, or anyone needing to add brief comments to a shared document.

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Seamless Google Drive Integration

Complementing the new PDF tools, Chrome has added a "Save to Google Drive" button directly into the PDF viewer's top bar. With a single click, users can upload the document they are viewing to their Google Drive account, where it is automatically placed in a "Saved from Chrome" folder for easy organization.

This feature streamlines the process of saving important web-based documents. Instead of downloading a file and then manually uploading it to cloud storage, the integration makes archiving articles, invoices, or reports a one-step process, enhancing workflow efficiency.

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