Google Chrome is testing a big change to tabs
Google Chrome, the flagship web browser, is set to introduce a highly anticipated feature that many users have been longing for: vertical tabs. Currently available in the Chrome Canary experimental build for developers, this new feature allows users to arrange their tabs vertically in a sidebar on the left side of the browser. By right-clicking on the tab bar, users will find the option “Show tabs on side,” enabling them to switch from the traditional horizontal layout to a more organized vertical one. This update is particularly exciting as vertical tabs have been a staple in other browsers like Vivaldi, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge for years, leaving Chrome users eager for an upgrade to their tab management experience.
The vertical tab interface promises to enhance user experience significantly. With this feature, users can not only view their tabs in a more compact and manageable way but also enjoy functionalities such as tab search, grouping, and the ability to create new tabs seamlessly. Moreover, users can toggle between vertical and horizontal layouts, catering to personal preferences and screen space. The collapsible sidebar feature also offers a cleaner browser interface, making it easier to focus on the content without the distraction of numerous open tabs. While this update is primarily cosmetic, it addresses a common pain point for avid tab collectors who often juggle multiple web pages simultaneously.
As this feature is still in the developer beta phase, users should expect some adjustments before it becomes widely available. There is currently no official timeline for when the vertical tabs will be rolled out to the general public, but the excitement surrounding this update reflects a growing demand for improved tab management in Chrome. For users who are eager to experiment with the new functionality, the Chrome Canary build provides an opportunity to test out vertical tabs ahead of the official release. This development marks a significant step for Google Chrome, aligning it more closely with user-friendly features that have already become standard in competing browsers.
Google’s
flagship web browser is getting a new feature that people already love in other browsers — vertical tabs.
The new tab feature is available now as part of the
Chrome Canary
experimental build for developers, per
Windows Report
. In the developer beta, when you right-click on the tab bar that normally sits horizontally underneath the URL entry field in Chrome, you’ll now see an option that reads, “Show tabs on side.” This allows you to arrange your tabs vertically. If you do, the tabs will appear in a sidebar on the left side of the browser.
As with any developer beta, the feature will likely get some tweaks before it’s released to users. And there’s no way of telling when that might happen.
Vertical tabs are a feature that has been available in other browsers, such as Vivaldi, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, for several years now. Chrome users have been living behind the times.
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It sounds like the vertical tab interface gives you most of the features you’d want out of it. You can search tabs, arrange them into groups, create new ones, and switch back and forth between vertical and horizontal tabs at will. You can also collapse the sidebar to clean up your screen. While this is just a cosmetic change to a feature that Chrome has had since its inception, it’s sure to be welcome news among avid tab collectors nonetheless.
That said,
there’s another option
for managing tabs, if you’re brave enough.
