Like its desktop brethren, the Chrome for Android app has now officially been updated to Chrome 68. The promotion comes after five beta builds of the Chrome for Android Beta app over the course of the past month or so. The new build is 68.0.3440.70 for those keeping score at home. Google has released it but it will take several days before everyone gets it – perhaps up to a week in some cases.
Like the desktop version of the browser, Chrome for Android has a load of bug fixes and other improvements. It also brings the “Not Secure” banner to sites you visit that are not encrypted (HTTPS) as it does on the desktop. This is a change that Google announced was coming last February to help identify non-encrypted sites.
Specifically to Android, there is a new horizontal task switcher available in this update. This brings a more Android P feel to the browser as the closing of browser tabs is done simply by swiping up on the display. Tabs you have open are also show in full, not just slivers as they have been in the past.
Tab Switcher in Chrome 68 for Android
The new Home mini screen pop-up is also in this build. Previously if you were prompted by a site to pin it to your Home screen, you were presented a large banner on the page. This has changed to a smaller notification on the bottom that is less intrusive.
Add to Home Page Mini Bar Pop-Up
As mentioned previously, the update of the Chrome for Android app has been released by Google but it hasn’t landed in the Play Store yet. Once that happens, which should be today, the update will then begin to populate out to users. As is normally the case, this process can take several days for everyone to get the update but it will land on your account eventually.
