In its latest beta for Android, Google Chrome has introduced a Floating Action Button (FAB) to enhance user accessibility and refresh the interface. Borrowing elements from user experiences in Google Maps and Gmail, this FAB strives to simplify primary actions within the app. Found in version 127.0.6533.23 of Chrome beta, the FAB sits at the bottom right, offering quick access to open new tabs.

Design and Usage

The new FAB aims to make opening new tabs more intuitive, shifting the action button from its traditional top-left position to a more accessible bottom-right corner. This change mirrors the functionality seen in other Google apps where FABs facilitate primary tasks — such as note creation in Google Keep or centering maps in Google Maps.

For now, the FAB is accessible only in the beta version of the Chrome Android app. Its introduction in this testing phase hints at potential wider adoption. Additionally, this Chrome beta includes a new feature that supports background playback for the Read Aloud function, suggesting continuous improvements to the browser's capabilities.

Context in Google's Ecosystem

The introduction of FAB aligns with Google's broader design principles, aimed at enhancing usability across its services. Google Drive, for example, utilizes FABs for uploads and rapid camera access for scans. The inclusion of FAB in Chrome is part of this larger strategy to improve user interaction consistency.

Reports from Neowin indicate that the FAB is also under scrutiny in the Chrome Canary version, an environment where experimental features are tested before public release. Potential uses in the Canary build include actions like opening a new tab, starting a private session, or accessing bookmarks. The feature is still in testing, and users can expect it to evolve based on feedback and testing outcomes.