Google Chrome 99 has arrived with a slew of latest and improved options. The newest model of the favored Chrome browser is the precursor to the much-anticipated Chrome 100.
Some notable options of Chrome 99 embrace origin trials, darkish mode help for internet apps, and a handwriting recognition API. This model additionally consists of a number of different developer-focused options.
These new options grew to become accessible within the latest Chrome beta channel launch, as of February 3, 2022. This launch is obtainable for Android, Chrome OS, Linux, Home windows, and macOS.
Whereas we await Chrome 100, listed here are some notable options of Chrome 99 which can be value testing.
What’s New and Improved in Chrome 99
As introduced in a current Chromium blog post, the next options are actually accessible or improved in Chrome 99.
1. Handwriting Recognition API
The brand new Chrome 99 contains a Handwriting Recognition API that may acknowledge and convert handwriting (ink) into textual content. With this functionality, Chrome 99 will convert your handwriting into textual content in real-time and in your system.
Chrome 99’s Handwriting Recognition API additionally works offline with no third-party dependencies. It makes use of “on-line” or close to real-time recognition reasonably than “off-line” strategies that use Optical Character Recognition.
Chrome’s Handwriting API works with recognition providers already accessible on most working techniques, throughout many gadgets.
2. Window Controls Overlay for Progressive Internet Apps
The Window Controls are the buttons to the fitting and left of the title bar space together with the reduce, maximize, and shut buttons amongst others. Additionally they embrace the title of the applying.
In Chrome 99, now you can place customized content material within the title bar space and change the title bar with a small overlay housing the window controls. This makes your Chrome browser appear and feel extra like an app.
It does this by increasing an app’s shopper space to cowl the entire window from the title bar space to the window controls on each side.
3. Obtain Shortcut
Downloaded objects in earlier variations of Chrome are usually displayed aspect by aspect in a bar on the backside of the browser. That is about to alter in Chrome 99.
Like Edge (which can be constructed on Chromium), Chrome 99 is getting a devoted obtain shortcut icon. It would seem everytime you’re downloading content material and disappear when the obtain is accomplished.
This characteristic continues to be in growth and can roll out to the steady construct as soon as completed. As soon as rolled out, it could additionally will let you pin the obtain Shortcut to the higher toolbar.
4. Programmatic Pickers
Chrome 99 has a characteristic that lets internet pages open a browser picker for enter components like date, coloration, and knowledge record with out counting on customized widgets and CSS hacks.
This might assist enhance internet app interfaces by letting builders configure the browser picker to work with customers’ gadgets.
You possibly can check this new characteristic through this Glitch demo site the place you’ll be able to experiment with completely different date pickers together with customized date pickers that you may add and check. To preview, merely click on on the Present picker drop-down.
5. Origin Trials
With Chrome 99, now you can simply enroll in Chrome’s Origin Trials program. It lets you check out new options and supply suggestions on usability, practicability, and effectiveness to the net requirements neighborhood.
Darkish mode help for internet apps is likely one of the trials accessible that you may check out should you join the Origin Trials program. It permits internet apps to specify and use any coloration for darkish mode.
When you’re a developer and need to be part of this system, you’ll be able to simply register for any of the origin trials accessible in Chrome through the Chrome Origin Trials dashboard.
Chrome 99 Has Extra to Provide
On its half, Chrome 99 has some attention-grabbing new options, but it surely seems as if it’s geared extra in direction of builders.
Different new options in Chrome 99 embrace help for infinity, -infinity, and NaN in CSS calc (), CSS Colour Modify, new Canvas 2D options, and unprefixed text-emphasis properties, amongst others.
Chrome now releases new updates each 4 weeks. Nevertheless, if you wish to strive different browsers, you’ll be able to take a look at some highly effective Chrome alternate options that we advocate.
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