Chrome Launches Minimized Custom Tabs for Seamless Multitasking

In a move to enhance the user experience, Google Chrome is officially launching a new feature called "Minimized Custom Tabs" that revolutionizes the way we multitask on our Android devices. This innovative functionality, which builds upon the existing Chrome Custom Tabs system, aims to provide a seamless integration of web content within native applications, enabling users to effortlessly switch between the two.

The key highlight of this update is the integration of Picture-in-Picture (PiP) technology, allowing users to minimize web content into compact, resizable windows that can be docked to the edges of the screen. When opening links from within a compatible app, such as Gmail, a downward-facing chevron will appear next to the back button, indicating the ability to shrink the webpage into a PiP window.

These PiP windows display the site's favicon, page name, and domain, providing users with a quick glance at the content they've accessed. The ability to resize and dock these windows to the left or right edge of the screen further enhances the multitasking experience, enabling users to seamlessly transition between native app and web content.

To view the full webpage within the Chrome Custom Tab, users can simply tap the PiP window and click the central fullscreen button. Alternatively, they can swipe the rectangle to the bottom of the screen or tap the corner 'x' button to remove the PiP window altogether.

Google has emphasized the importance of this "seamless integration" in enabling more efficient multitasking across different surfaces, ultimately enriching the in-app web browsing experience. Historically, PiP technology has been primarily associated with video content, but this new implementation in Chrome Custom Tabs expands its capabilities to broader web experiences.

It's important to note that while most Android apps leverage Chrome Custom Tabs (or directly open Chrome) to display web content, some apps like Instagram and Threads have their own built-in browsers. In these cases, the new Minimized Custom Tabs feature will not be available, as it is a specific change introduced within the Chrome browser itself.

The Minimized Custom Tabs functionality is currently available with Chrome 124 for Android, and version 125 is already rolling out, ensuring users can take advantage of this multitasking enhancement. As the industry continues to evolve, it is hoped that other browser providers will adopt similar capabilities, further streamlining the user experience across the digital landscape.