Google is rolling out new productivity features for its Chrome browser, including Split View, PDF annotations, and Save to Google Drive, as competition in the browser market intensifies. The updates are designed to deepen integration with Google’s ecosystem and respond to the emergence of AI-driven browsers from companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. Users can access these tools through the latest browser update, which aims to keep them within the Chrome environment for tasks such as multitasking and document management.
The company announced the official launch of these three options on Thursday, positioning them as enhancements to user workflow without a primary focus on artificial intelligence. This release strategy follows Google’s earlier integration of its Gemini AI assistant into Chrome, a move made to counter the growing presence of AI providers exploring agentic browser capabilities. The competitive landscape, often referred to as the “browser wars,” has prompted Google to accelerate the development and deployment of consumer-facing features, reducing stagnation in its release cycle.
Split View addresses multitasking needs by allowing users to place two web pages side-by-side within a single browser tab. This configuration supports activities such as working across two distinct websites simultaneously or watching a video while taking notes in an adjacent window. To activate Split View, a user drags a tab to the left or right edge of the browser window until it snaps into place, or right-clicks a link and selects “Open Link in Split View.” The layout can be exited via a right-click option when the split configuration is no longer required.
Video: Google
The PDF annotations feature eliminates the need to download files and open them in separate applications by enabling text highlighting and note-taking directly within the browser. This functionality facilitates basic PDF tasks, including the digital signing of documents, filling out forms, and adding personal notes to files. By handling these processes in-browser, Google aims to streamline workflows for users who frequently interact with PDF content, removing the friction of managing local files and external software.
Save to Google Drive offers a cloud-based alternative to local file storage, specifically for PDFs. When activated, this feature saves files directly to a user’s Google Drive account rather than the computer’s hard drive, reducing the risk of files becoming lost. Saved items are organized into a dedicated “Saved from Chrome” folder within Drive, providing a centralized location for easy retrieval and management of documents collected during browsing sessions.
This suite of updates follows the expansion of Gemini and other agentic features to Chromebook users last month, indicating a broader strategy to integrate AI tools across Google’s hardware and software lines. The company is also preparing to introduce vertical tabs, a feature initially popularized by The Browser Company’s Arc browser and present in its AI browser, Dia. An experimental flag for vertical tabs is currently available for advanced users, signaling an impending official release that aligns Chrome with interface innovations pioneered by competitors.
