Latest Chrome release gets full-screen browsing

On the horizon for the next release of Google's Chrome browser is something I've long lusted after: the option to browse the Web in full screen. On Wednesday, an early version of this feature came to the latest developer build of Chrome (v.2.0.166.1). Those running it can simply hit F11 on their keyboard to send the browser into full screen, which eschews any UI besides the side page scroller, and your Windows taskbar.

The full-screen mode is missing a few core features found in Firefox and IE7. For instance, there is no drop down top navigation. This means to enter a new URL or open up your favorites, you'll need to hit F11 to return to normal browsing. You also can't see what tabs you have open, but you can still switch between them using the Ctrl+Tab shortcut.

Compared to IE7 and Firefox 3, Chrome has the least reason to offer such a feature considering how little of your screen real estate its UI takes up. However, for users on ultraportable notebooks, that extra few pixels can make the browsing experience a far more enjoyable experience. It can also be incredibly helpful if you're using an online photo editor, as you get more room to work.

[Hunnter2k3]

Bah, if only it was on 1.X versions. How hard could it really be to add it into that?
Oh well, at least it will be there in the future.

The one thing that is still worrying me is where is the middle-click scrolling??
Last time i tried it, it seemed to be working, and i haven't seen any real reason for it not to be added into the final code.
There will always be problems with code on something, deal with them later, but right now, middle-click scrolling works on most cases, release and fix any other issues later. Not releasing is preventing a large amount of people from using it.
There is no room for perfectionism on this issue.

[ZetaZeta_]

Wow, very nice. I was already running 2.x and I didn't know this. Starting reading your article and thought /Wait a minute.../
*F11*
Wow. Cool.

[duwey96]

I have full screen (F11) with a drop-down top menu on both IE7 and Firefox 3 that I am using right now. Allowing me to access favorites, enter new URLs, and change tabs while remaining in fullscreen. Click on the page and the drop-down menu disappears.

IE 7.0.5730.13
Firefox 3.0.5

This is default with no add-ins. What are you talking about they don't have this functionality?

[jc364]

The author is saying that Chrome is missing the features that these browsers have.