Google Chrome plans to let users know if a site loads slowly

What might be a headache to site owners will be beneficial to Google Chrome users. Google plans to show badges on sites that load slowly. The company didn’t talk about specifics in the blog post they released about the topic, but it described what you could expect to see in the future. Fast-loading sites get a green loading bar, while those that load slowly get a notice that says, “Loading… Usually loads slow.” Consumers win out with this development as it pushes developers to optimize their sites. It could also mean that Google might push users to visit faster loading sites.

Google says it plans to take a look at a site’s historical load times to determine if they load at a reduced pace all the time. They also want to check if a site loads slowly because of network speeds. Eventually, they might also show the loading times in the context menu when you click on the hyperlink. But nothing is set in stone yet.

Google Chrome 78 on iOS 13 now supports system-wide dark mode

Browsing through Chrome in the middle of the night on your iPhone will no longer burn your retinas. Version 78 of the browser now supports iOS 13's system-wide dark mode, which means if you have the feature enabled, Chrome will follow suit. However, Google's take on the dark theme isn't a real black background. Instead, it brings a grey background colour throughout the interface. Sites that support dark mode will change as well. 

Another change this update brings is the new card-like interface for sections like Bookmarks, History, Recent Tabs, Reading Lists, and Settings. These sections will slide up from the bottom when you pull them up, and you can swipe them away when you're done with them. Chrome now also lets you add a new credit card directly from the Settings page. This update is now available on the App Store.

Source: 9to5Google

Google smartens up dark mode for the next version of Chrome for Android

The new beta release for Google Chrome on Android wants to make the dark mode a bit smarter. The aim is to make the site look more normal when dark mode is forced. Chrome 77 for Android is less likely to invert the color of images, even if their backgrounds are mostly white. This beta update is also less likely to turn gray text bright white, so it'll be a more comfortable reading experience. And it'll be closer to what the site's creators originally intended.

When dark mode first came to Android, it was simply a way to invert the colors of an entire site. But when it comes to photos, this would sometimes render them indecipherable. The previous version of Chrome automatically activated a dark version of a site if one is already available, and it only reversed the colors if there's no alternative. 

Source: Tech Radar

Online shopping with Chrome across your devices just got easier

You don’t have to be tied to Chrome on your desktop to shop with ease now. If you saved your payment information with Chrome, then you can access this on any device you have Chrome on. You’ll be prompted to use saved payment information when filling out a checkout form. To use this feature, you don’t need to have Chrome Sync turned on (it also won’t turn Sync on for you). As long as you’re logged into your Google account and buying from a place that supports Google Play, it can pull up your saved credit or debit card information. As a precaution, it’ll still ask you to confirm your card’s CVC when you checkout. You also have the option to add a new payment method to your account, which Google with confirm through an email. You can also save a payment method locally by pulling up Chrome Settings > Payment Methods > Add. This will be useful if you want your payment information saved on a single device.

Source: SlashGear