Although many users are keen to add useful side panel UI extensions such as tab navigation to their browsers, browser manufacturers have long ignored this point. The good news is that this situation has quietly changed. A demo video shared by 9to5Google shows that users will be able to get more information in the left sidebar of the Chrome browser, such as the reading list, and perform Google Lens searches without leaving the current page.
For users who need to search and browse, this function similar to split-screen in Windows is quite practical. Just click the colored G icon on the left side of the URL bar, and then click the relevant content on the side information bar, and you can easily jump to the specified webpage on the right side of the window.
In contrast, current Chrome browser users often have to create a new tab (or open another Chrome process window side by side) when using search. Interested friends, may wish to experience the Side Search function in the latest Canary branch.
In fact, as early as last year, Microsoft Edge has also launched a similar function, but Microsoft chose to place the sidebar on the right side of the window. On the other hand, Google’s move aroused some opposition. For example, this potential red flag may allow Google Search to be more closely integrated with the Chrome browser, thereby playing an anti-competitive effect of suppressing other Web browsers/search engines.
