Google Adds Touch Controls to Chrome Browser Test Build

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By Vignesh Ramachandran2013-08-05 23:45:03 UTC

Google is reportedly experimenting with touch-friendly features for its popular Chrome browser.

The Verge reported Monday that Google's latest Canary build includes a slide-to-navigate feature for swiping between web pages. Chrome Canary is an experimental version of Google's web browser that the Mountain View, Calif., tech giant says is "designed for developers and early adopters, and can sometimes break down completely."

See also: 14 Google Tools You Didn't Know Existed

With an industry-wide shift toward mobile, Google's experiment is not surprising but would make web browsing more intuitive on tablets and smartphones. The Canary test build also includes pinch-to-zoom functionality, according the The Verge. Chrome's desktop version on Windows 8 will also reportedly support an on-screen keyboard when a user taps a text field or address bar.

With this gesture-control addition, Google could also be positioning itself to better support its own devices: Google's Chromebook Pixel laptop has "touch-enabled glass" with pinch-to-zoom, tap and swipe capabilities.

Mashable composite - Image: Flickr, Ben Hosking/HoskingIndustries; logo: Google.

Topics: google chrome, Tech, touch