Google Chrome update brings data compression and home-screen shortcuts
Big new update for you in the Google Play Store today, folks. Google Chrome is finally getting the data compression feature that has been in beta for quite some time, giving folks access to their favorite sites for less overall data. The money and bandwidth you’ll save loading each individual page might not be dramatic, but that stuff tends to add up.
The setting is off by default, so you’ll have to travel to Settings > Bandwidth management > Reduce data usage within the app. Google says this will also automatically enable a safe browsing mode, which is designed to protect you from malicious websites.
Google also added a new feature that’ll allow you to easily place a shortcut to any webpage on your home-screen. Simply go to the toolbar menu and select the “add to homescreen” option while you’re on the page you want to bookmark, and you’ll have immediate access to that site without having to open Chrome and fumble through menus and keyboards.
The upgrade should be rolling out through the Google Play Store at some point starting today, though Google is likely rolling it out to everyone in stages. Be sure to check your device to see if it’s ready to be pulled down. Otherwise, sit back and wait for your Play Store app to notify you of its arrival.
