Chrome finally catches up: vertical tabs & reading mode arrive

After years of watching competitors innovate, Google is belatedly rolling out two features Chrome users have been clamoring for: vertical tabs and a dedicated reading mode. While the additions may seem like table stakes in 2024, their arrival signals a potential shift in Google’s approach to browser development—one perhaps finally acknowledging user preference over engineering inertia.

Vertical tabs: a long time coming

The functionality, once restricted to advanced settings, is now broadly available, accessible with a simple right-click on any Chrome window. This allows users to consolidate tabs into a sidebar, freeing up valuable horizontal screen real estate. But the execution isn’t quite flawless. While the ability to shrink the sidebar to display only favicons is a welcome touch, providing a minimalist aesthetic, it highlights a key difference between Chrome’s implementation and that of Arc Browser.

Arc, with its address bar nestled within the vertical sidebar, maximizes screen utilization even further. The difference is subtle, but significant—particularly for those of us who spend hours navigating dense web pages. I, for one, migrated to Arc initially for its tab management, and have remained a loyal user largely because of this very feature. Now, the temptation to reconsider Chrome’s dominance becomes slightly more difficult to resist.

Reading mode: a breath of fresh air

The new reading mode, activated via a right-click, strips away the visual clutter of websites, presenting content in a clean, distraction-free format. It's a familiar feature—found in virtually every other major browser—but its absence in Chrome has been a notable omission. The benefit is immediate: improved readability and reduced eye strain, particularly when tackling lengthy articles or research papers. The simplicity is striking.

The arrival of these features isn't merely about adding functionality; it’s about addressing a growing dissatisfaction with Chrome’s traditionally rigid approach. But the question remains: will Google stop merely playing catch-up and start leading the charge in browser innovation? The introduction of Spaces in Arc is the next benchmark—and I certainly hope to see Chrome adopt that feature soon. Only then might a full-time return to Google’s browser truly be on the cards.