Google Chrome is testing a new way to activate Incognito Mode

Google is always making tweaks to its hugely-popular Chrome browser. And there are a bumper crop of changes in the latest version of Chrome Canary – a separate version of the browser for developers and those who can’t wait to get their hands on the latest features – on Android.

Most notable is the new way to switch to Incognito Mode, which lets you browse the web without recording any usernames, passwords or web history to the Google Account you’re currently using on your machine. At the moment, Android users need to tap on the “hamburger” menu in the top-right hand of the user interface.

This three-dot stack contains the ability to switch to Incognito Mode, which is signalled visually by a move to a dark mode-like appearance. However, Google is clearly looking into making this hugely-popular feature more accessible. Under the latest beta test, Chrome users can trigger Incognito Mode using a small toggle next to the three-dot menu.

The button, which looks like a physical toggle, has the Incognito Mode logo, which has a pork pie hat and a pair of round Harry Potter-esque glasses.

Hilariously, if you open enough separate tabs in Incognito Mode because you’re looking at – ahem!– so many different options for your partners’ anniversary present, Google will change this icon for something a little cheekier. And the changes don’t end there.

Chrome on Android could get a new window switcher, if the latest Chrome Canary tests are anything to go by. The new interface presents your open browser tabs are small cards that appear in a 2×2 grid that you can scroll down to jump between websites. Not only that, but there’s the option to browse open tabs in both the standard Chrome mode and Incognito Mode.

That means it would be feasible to keep a slew of Incognito Mode tabs open and juggle between those and your standard tabs. That’s something that has been achievable on Safari on iOS for some time.

The final change in the new beta test is the presence of a Google search bar in the interface to switch tabs. That’s an incredibly useful addition as it means you won’t need to load-up a new tab to start a Google search – it’s all there ready to go. Handy, eh?

The latest Chrome for Android updates were discovered by the sharp team over at AndroidPolice. According to the outlet, if you’d like to test out the new interface in your Chrome Canary app, you’ll need to navigate to chrome://flags/#enable-tab-grid-layout to get the new test to kick-in.

Unfortunately, the fact that Google is looking into this new design is no guarantee that we’ll see it roll-out to every desktop, Android and iOS version of the app. Google is constantly refining its design and throwing-out new ideas. But changes to the browser, which is used by over 60 percent of all web surfers, are a little slower to land.

source: express.co.uk