Google Chrome is enhancing user multitasking capabilities on Android with its latest update to Chrome Custom Tabs, now featuring a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. This update allows users to minimize web content into a small, movable video pane while continuing to navigate other apps, thereby improving productivity and user experience.
Understanding Chrome Custom Tabs
Chrome Custom Tabs allow for a seamless web browsing experience within third-party applications, without the need for users to leave the app. These tabs are not only faster than traditional methods but also offer a more integrated user experience. They provide features like saved passwords and autofill data directly within the app, akin to browsing in a full Chrome browser.
New PiP Functionality
The new PiP feature represents a significant multitasking enhancement. Users can now click on a new downward-facing arrow icon next to the back button, which minimizes the Chrome Custom Tab into a PiP window. This window shows the website’s logo, name, and domain, and can be moved across the screen or resized according to the user’s preference.
Practical Applications
This feature is particularly useful for users who need to reference web content while using other applications. For example, viewing a product on a shopping website while discussing it in a messaging app, or following a tutorial while attempting the steps in another app. The ability to switch easily between apps without losing the web content enhances efficiency and user engagement.
Rollout and Availability
While the feature is currently available in the latest stable release of Chrome for Android (version 122), it has not yet been rolled out to all devices. Users can check if the feature is available on their device and enable it via the Chrome flags settings if necessary. Based on Google’s usual rollout patterns, the feature is expected to become widely available in the coming weeks.
