Google Chrome is gearing up for some user-friendly improvements, particularly for Android users. Two key updates are making waves: the return of the bottom-aligned address bar and a new “Autofill with AI” feature. Both aim to make browsing smoother and more intuitive.

Return of the Bottom Address Bar in Chrome for Android

For years, many Android users have been asking Google to return the option to move the address bar to the bottom of the screen. Originally removed in 2020, this feature was popular among users who found it easier to navigate with one hand, especially on larger phones. Now, it seems Google is listening. According to an APK teardown of Chrome’s latest Canary build by tech leaker @Leopeva64, placeholders suggest the bottom address bar option is coming back.

This long-requested feature will soon be available directly from the URL bar’s context menu or through the kebab menu, making switching between top and bottom positions even easier. Previously, Chrome on iOS has allowed users to move the address bar to the bottom for years, and Firefox has a similar feature. Surprisingly, Android has lagged, but it seems that’s about to change.

The new menu that will allow you to copy the link or move the address bar to the top/bottom is now available in Chrome Canary for Android, but the options don’t work yet:https://t.co/PdtxH5SuVL pic.twitter.com/PBglqcG4Xd

— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) October 10, 2024

This return of the bottom-aligned address bar will make the browsing experience more ergonomic, especially for people with smaller hands or those who prefer using their phones one-handed. Once this feature reaches the public release, switching the bar’s location without digging into the settings will become a reality, providing a more customizable experience.

AI-Powered Autofill: A Smarter Way to Fill Forms

Another exciting update in Chrome is the introduction of AI-enhanced autofill for forms and credentials. Chrome has always featured an integrated credentials manager that automatically saves passwords, suggests strong ones, and fills them in securely. But Google is pushing this functionality further by incorporating artificial intelligence.

Google has been steadily incorporating AI across its products, and Chrome is no exception. Recently, the company started using AI to enhance features like theming and search, and now it’s being applied to form autofill as well. According to commits spotted by @Leopeva64 on the Chromium Gerrit, Google has been working on an AI-driven autofill system that can adapt to different types of forms more intelligently.

The “Autofill prediction improvements” subsection has been renamed “Autofill with AI” in Chrome Canary, and the description now mentions the same disclaimers that appear in other AI-powered features:https://t.co/28fo5WW0xL pic.twitter.com/64Ymh8wI4S

— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) October 11, 2024

One common issue with form autofill is slight variations between form fields, like when a website asks for your street address before your house number. Chrome’s new AI system will be able to recognize these variations and fill out forms more accurately. Although still in the early stages, the new feature, called “Autofill with AI,” is being tested in the Chrome Canary build.

The AI-based autofill system aims to improve the way Chrome processes user data on-device, providing more accurate suggestions when filling in forms. This update not only makes it easier to fill in details like passwords or addresses, but it also ensures that the data remains secure. Interestingly, while the AI processes the form data on-device, some of the information will be sent to Google servers for further improvements. This might involve human reviewers examining data to help the AI become better at predicting the correct input for forms.

AI’s Expanding Role in Google Chrome

Google’s reliance on AI to improve Chrome’s user experience is growing. In addition to autofill, AI is already enhancing several aspects of the browser. The AI-powered theming options and enhanced search capabilities are already live, making Chrome more intuitive. With the introduction of “Autofill with AI,” the browser will now offer even more personalized, secure, and smart suggestions.

By moving away from static autofill data and relying on AI, Chrome can avoid repetitive mistakes like storing multiple variations of an address for different websites. This smart approach eliminates the need for manually adjusting details for slightly different form formats, offering a seamless experience for users.

Conclusion: A Better Chrome Experience Ahead

Google Chrome’s upcoming updates will significantly improve the browsing experience for Android users. The return of the bottom address bar and the new AI-powered autofill feature are just the latest examples of how Google is focusing on usability and personalization.

With these changes, Chrome will become more adaptable to individual user preferences, whether it’s about the ease of reaching the address bar or how forms are filled in. As AI continues to evolve, Google Chrome remains at the forefront of integrating this technology to make browsing smarter, faster, and more efficient. Expect these features to roll out soon, providing a smoother, more responsive Chrome experience for everyone.

Google has recently made a significant change to its Circle to Search feature, removing the shortcut for Google Lens. This update follows a recent visual tweak, and while it streamlines the user interface, it also limits easy access to the popular visual search tool.

Previously, users could access Google Lens via a small ‘G’ logo located at the bottom of the Circle to Search field. This logo allowed for quick access to various Google features, including the Google app, voice search, and Lens, along with text query options. The Lens shortcut was particularly useful for those wanting to perform live visual searches directly from the Circle to Search interface. In addition to this, the song search feature, represented by a music note icon, was added recently alongside translation options.

With the latest update, however, Google has removed the Lens shortcut from this lineup, which could be seen as a regression. The removal means that users no longer have quick two-step access to Google Lens from any part of their phone. Although some Pixel phones offer a Lens shortcut on the homescreen in the bottom-right corner, other devices, and third-party launchers don’t have that convenience. To work around this, users can either place the Google Search widget on their home screens or download the standalone Google Lens app to regain easy access.

It’s unclear if this removal is due to a bug or an intentional change by Google to declutter the Circle to Search interface. Reducing the number of buttons from four to three does give the UI a cleaner look, but losing easy access to Google Lens on Android is a drawback for many users who rely on it for quick visual searches.

This update seems to have rolled out widely across both the stable and beta versions of the Google app, following a server-side change earlier this morning. Whether this shift is permanent or subject to further tweaks remains to be seen.

Google continues to improve privacy and security features with its latest updates. In the upcoming Android 15 QPR1 release, the focus is on refining screen recording, building on the improvements introduced in Android 15. One of the key features rolled out in this version is enhanced control over screen sharing. Now, screen recording or casting can be limited to a single app rather than the entire screen. This provides better privacy, especially during screen-sharing sessions where sensitive content might otherwise be exposed.

New Features in Android 15 QPR1

Google is not stopping there. Android 15 QPR1 brings another layer of protection by automatically ending screen-sharing sessions when your phone is locked. This new update ensures that screencasting or recording stops once the device is locked, preventing unintended sharing of your screen in case of accidental locks. Previously, users had to manually stop screen sharing or recording, which sometimes led to privacy issues.

With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the user experience becomes more streamlined. When you start screencasting or recording, the system will show you status bar notifications. These display not only the ongoing session but also how long it’s been active. Tapping on these notifications allows users to stop the recording or casting directly from the status bar, adding another layer of ease and security.

Differentiating System and Third-Party Screen Sharing

Another useful feature in Android 15 QPR1 is the clear distinction between system-initiated and third-party app-initiated screen sharing. When an app starts a screen-sharing session, the system reflects this with distinct icons and descriptions. This is especially handy for users who need to track which apps are accessing screen sharing.

For third-party apps, Android 15 QPR1 introduces automatic termination of screen sharing when the device is locked. This change means that any screen projection initiated by apps will immediately stop once you lock your phone, unlike in previous Android versions where sharing would continue unless stopped manually.

Developer Adjustments for App Compatibility

With these changes, Google advises developers to update their apps to work seamlessly with the new screen-sharing behavior. Developers need to implement a callback function within their apps to handle screen sharing interruptions, ensuring that apps release resources or update their user interfaces when the screen projection stops.

Future Impact of These Changes

Although these updates are significant, they are only available for Pixel devices running Android 15 QPR1 for now. The broader Android user base will have to wait until Android 16 rolls out next year to benefit from these features. Additionally, other upcoming features in Android 15 QPR1, such as a desktop windowing mode and lock screen widgets for tablets, further enhance Android’s functionality, making it clear that Google is continuously improving its operating system with user privacy and usability in mind.

In summary, Android 15 QPR1 takes another step towards a more secure and user-friendly screen recording experience. With the automatic termination of screen shares when locking the device, Android users can now enjoy a more seamless and private experience. This update is a prime example of how Google is focusing on giving users more control over their device’s privacy, making screen sharing safer and smarter.