A Closer Look at Chrome’s iOS Test Version
Google Chrome’s latest TestFlight version on iOS now sports a tweak many users might find handy: the option to position the address bar at the screen’s bottom. This adjustment, highlighted by MacRumors’ Steve Moser, brings the much-accessed address bar closer to the user’s thumb, enhancing browsing comfort.
Apple’s Lead: Safari’s Design Shift
Interestingly, Apple had already embraced this design approach. Safari, two years prior, introduced the default bottom placement for the URL bar with its iOS 15 update. This move by Chrome might be seen as a nod to its competitor’s foresight or a general industry move towards more ergonomic app designs.
Google’s Past Experiments on Android
This isn’t Google’s first foray into altering the URL bar’s location. Back in 2017, Google played with the idea of a bottom-placed URL bar for its Android version of Chrome. Despite the initial test, Google eventually reverted to the traditional top placement. With the current iOS experiment, many hope for a broader rollout, especially as mobile screens continue to expand, increasing the demand for more user-friendly interfaces.
