Google is streamlining the web browsing experience and boost user productivity by officially rolling out two features for its Chrome browser: vertical tabs and an upgraded, immersive reading mode.
According to the company, the new tools are designed to help users manage cluttered screens and focus more easily on the content that matters.
Vertical tabs in Google Chrome
For users who frequently use dozens of tabs, Chrome is offering a built-in solution. They can now have the option to shift your tab bar from the top of the screen to the side, depending on their personal preference. To activate it, simply right-click on the top of any Chrome window and select “Show Tabs Vertically.”The benefit of having this design is that when tabs are squished at the top of a screen, the text eventually disappears. Moving the tabs to the side of the browser window allows users to read the full page titles of every open website. Google notes that this side-layout is perfect for managing tab groups with ease and multitasking, saving you time by ensuring you never lose track of an important tab again.“This layout is perfect for multitasking, saving you time by making sure you never lose a tab,” Google said.
Updated ‘Reading Mode’
Google says that Reading mode has long been one of the favourite Chrome feature for users who want to dive deeply into an article, adding that it is now better than ever thanks to a brand-new full-page interface. This feature instantly strips away visual distractions, such as ads, pop-ups and sidebars, and transforms a busy, cluttered webpage into a clean, text-focused, and immersive reading experience.How to activate it: Right-click on any webpage and select “Open in reading mode.”
Other Google Chrome updates
The previous big update came last month when Google brought several of Chrome’s latest AI features, including Gemini in Chrome, to users across India. These features, built on the company’s latest Gemini 3.1 model, aim to help people get and understand information quickly and more efficiently without having to juggle between multiple tabs. As part of the expansion, Google also rolled out support for over 50 languages, including several Indic languages: Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil.
These features will be available first on desktop and iOS.
