Chrome's new-tab page gets more interactive

Opening a new tab in a browser is a moment ripe with opportunity, and Google has begun testing a version of Chrome that can present new options when users do so.

Chrome's current new-tab interface, which also shows by default when the browser is first launched, displays a three-by-three array of thumbnails of the most commonly visited Web sites. It also sports a history search box, a list of recent bookmarks, and a list of recently closed tabs. That changes in Chrome 3.0.191.3, a developer preview version released Monday.

The new layout, though, features a thumbnail grid four wide and two down, placing lists of closed tabs and recent downloads in a "recent activities" section below and offering an area for "tips and suggestions" next to it. This instructional section probably makes sense, given that Chrome is somewhat alien to most users, but so far it doesn't show any actual tips or suggestions.

Also new is the ability to delete specific thumbnails with a close box, pin them so they're permanently shown, and reorder them using a drag-and-drop interface. Chrome users also can opt to show Web pages in as a list rather than as thumbnails, and they can hide either the "recent activities" or "tips and suggestions" boxes.

The new-tab page historically has been left empty, but now browser makers see it as prime real estate for prompting users with ideas for what they might want to do or offering them what they might need.

Apple's Safari 4 offers a 3D array of thumbnails, which debuted the pinning, deleting, and reordering features with its January beta debut. Mozilla developers also have been toying with Firefox's new-tab behavior. Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 asks "What do you want to do next?" and offering choices such as enabling InPrivate browsing, reopening closed tabs, and installing accelerators that let people take actions with Web page text.

The new new-tab view isn't available by default in Chrome. To use it, launch Chrome with the "--new-new-tab-page" command-line option.

The new version also fixes some issues with printing on Windows and with animated GIFs, according to Chrome Engineering Program Manager Jonathan Conradt.

Below are images of the new new-tab screen, the new new-tab screen in list view, and the earlier new-tab screen.

The new new-tab screen

The new new-tab screen in Chrome. The blue thumbnail is selected to show the pin and close-box options.

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

The new new-tab screen in list view

The new new-tab screen in Chrome, in list view.

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

The earlier new-tab screen

The earlier new-tab page in Chrome.

(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)

[ebpda9]

how about just giving me my home page? I have my bookmarks there and all the places i want/need to go to.

[compbry15]

As specified in the article, and under the Basic options for Chrome, you can easily set it to open your homepage instead of the new-tab display. I, for one, find the new-tab feature very helpful.

[mjconver]

Doesn't matter, don't care. No Adblock == No Chrome.

[Hunnter2k3]

Oh grow up.

And perhaps read too, there has been adblock for months now.
Just for being a whiner, i won't link you to it, not as if i care to be honest.

[ca5ter]

Those ads, boy do they stink. I mean if publishers didn't have ads on their websites, we could all pay subscription fees. So, yeah, block the ads and pullout the credit card. ... Moron!!!!!!

[Frederikrooms]

why are there frustrations for internet advertisements? I think soms advertisements are always helpfull, and the others just don't bother me!

Put yourself in place of Google and others... Never organised a party where you needed sponsors to take the party place?

[Vegaman_Dan]

I would be happy if the stop button worked. Remember when you hit the STOP button in a web browser and it would stop doing whatever it was busy with and just let you get on with using the browser? None of the current generation of browsers do that anymore. If you go to a site that has a lot of in place ads, some browsers show you the content before the ads, but doesn't let you navigate. Others wait until everything is loaded before you can do anything. Some just ignore your STOP request entirely.

I remember when STOP meant STOP.

[Hunnter2k3]

God, too right.

And another being the inconsistent Refreshes.
Refresh a page, it usually auto-scrolls to where you refreshed it from.
Do it again, "WOOPS I FORGOT YOUR POSITION LOL, SORRY", yes, on the same exact page. I suffer this every single day...

[Hunnter2k3]

I think this whole "just add a command to the shortcut" thing is becoming annoying now.
Why won't they just put it into about:"tests"? Or something along those lines.

And give me a damn about:config already!
I hate this stupid "less options = better" mentality, IT ISN'T! It really isn't!
In fact, i'd go as far as saying it is making the browser less attractive to quite a large group of people who DO like options!
The options as they are right now are quite terrible. (not even got unique Proxy for crying out loud, just a call to Internet Options)
What harm is there to having advanced options? It isn't as if it will confuse people since they won't even need to see the thing unless they KNOW what they are looking for, so that lame (and already used) excuse is out of the window.

Maybe i will actually download and try this version in hopes it isn't as terrible a let-down as 2 was. (and the eating up resources thing, blah blah etc)

[Vegaman_Dan]

"I hate this stupid "less options = better" mentality, IT ISN'T! It really isn't! "

Heh... Ironic that Google made its fame by offering just such a concept in a simple KISS search engine, yet are working hard to clutter up and overcomplicate the browser itself.

I sense a committee designing an elephant someplace.

[Shankland]

Google (and others) often enable very rough features in a way that only people who really want to try them can. This is one of those cases. The approach in general can help with feedback, crash reports, security and usability testing, and any number of other development processes, but without affecting lots of people or requiring some revamp to a control panel that won't last once the new feature is enabled by default. So yes, it's a pain, but it's a pain for a reason.

[queticomn]

chrome - adBlock -no/script - Not for profit organization == give up g$$gle.

MOZILLA! :)

[Hunnter2k3]

It's funny how you say that, yet Google provide a large amount of money to fund Mozilla for Firefox.

Irony much? You like to rebel by blocking ads on a browser supported from a company who was built up on advertising?
Ah, marvelous!. :)

[Magallanes]

Google put money on Firefox on the same basis that Microsoft put money and is member of the WWW Consortium.

[AppleProLeo]

I starting to like this Hunnter2k3 guy.

[Magallanes]

Under the current trend, Chrome will beat Firefox in about 20 years (chrome is "gaining" share market for about 0.1% x year).

So yes, Chrome currently is a overhyped browser that "nobody" use, barely better that Opera.

Do you want to Chrome to beat the competitor?, then show us a new feature, otherwise Chrome will always be the fast a minimalist browser collecting dust in a corner of the harddisk.

[clamenza]

Chrome is to Google what IE is to Microsoft. They just haven't got the same power yet, despite their success. That's why they're putting so much effort into Chrome rather than work on Firefox.

[exactlyy]

lol , well said, i just wouldnt even let it in a corner of my HD . i'd never use/install chrome , and to whoever think that google funds Firefox.. well thats a big mistake, they are paying money to get more traffic, and trust me if google desides to stop using mozilla Firefox , then Bing,Yahoo,ask...etc w'd be more than happy to take that place and pay more money than google does, after all you are talking about 25% of the Market share and over 200 million downloaded Firefox 3 in a few days who are using google cuz its the default search engine in Firefox .

[FF2009]

Good Browser but, Chrome isn't ready for mainstream use. It lacks many features that other browsers have...I hope in a few new versions they get going and start adding add-ons and other Options....other wise, as it is right now, it's plain dull. The only thing it got going is the speed. The speed is good but having add-ons like a Firefox has Adblock and Noscript + many more is a must for me to even consider using Chrome.

Tell then...good luck to all of you who use it.

[a_flores]

I wish that there is a way we can lock the tabs in Chrome, like we can lock and unlock the Toolbar in Windows explorer. It was and it is and it will be so annoying for me because many times when I go to next tab, accidentally the tab is dragged out of the chrome and be a dependent Chrome. And I have to drag it back to the original chrome to be a tab. Is there any or whatever way to lock the tab so that we cannot accidentally drag it out? Thanks!

[rocrocroc1]

It looks to me like Google has a master plan and they will continue to develop their browser. Just take a look at the features "wishlist" they have already prepared. Click on the features you want - they are already being developed:-) I use Firefox 3.5 most of the time and IE8 when I have to but I have Chrome on my machine as well. Put all three on your task bar in the following order - Chrome,Firefox 3.5, IE8. Set each browsers homepage to MSN. Then quickly click right to left starting with IE8. Nothing more needs to be said. On my high level machine Chrome will activate first followed by Firefox and IE8 a distant third. From the standpoint of speed - Chrome stands alone. "IF" they maintain this speed differential as they add new features then there will be no argument. Chrome will be the browser of choice. I think it would be realistic to call this version of Chrome - Beta.

[joedigital]

Is it possible to clear the new "Recent activities" area?