Google’s Desperate Attempt to Keep Up with Arc: 5 New Chrome Features That Are a Day Late and a Dollar Short
In a move that’s more about keeping up appearances than innovation, Google announced five new features for its Chrome browser on mobile devices. The updates are a clear attempt to counter the rising popularity of Arc, the new iPhone browser that’s been gaining traction.
The new features, which include Chrome Actions, a refreshed address bar, trending search suggestions, live sports cards, and personalized search recommendations, are essentially just minor tweaks to the existing Chrome experience. They’re a long time coming, and it’s hard not to see them as a reactive measure to stay competitive in the market.
One of the most notable features is Chrome Actions, which allows users to perform certain tasks directly from the search bar. But is it really necessary? Arc’s intuitive design has already made it easy for users to access frequently used actions, rendering Google’s solution somewhat redundant.
Another feature that’s been added is the ability to search for local businesses and quickly access shortcut buttons like "Call," "Directions," and "Reviews." But doesn’t this just seem like a watered-down version of what Arc’s search functionality already offers?
The enhanced address bar for iPads and Android tablets is another feature that’s more about keeping up with the times than revolutionizing the browsing experience. And don’t even get me started on the new shortcut suggestions, which are just a blatant attempt to collect user data and manipulate search results.
Google’s live sports cards on the Chrome Discover Feed are the only feature that shows any real potential, but even this is a copycat move from Apple’s News app. And let’s be real, who needs live sports updates when you can just follow your favorite teams on social media?
Overall, these new features are a pale imitation of what Arc has been offering all along. It’s clear that Google is desperate to stay relevant in the mobile browser market, but these updates just don’t cut it.
