Google has been experimenting with several updates to its mobile app, including new icons and shortcuts. The latest discovery concerns changes to the built-in browser in the Google app. An APK teardown has revealed some new bottom bars for the in-app browser, which currently has none.
Three variations of the new bottom bar have been spotted, suggesting Google is still refining the design. The first layout includes icons for adding a site to favorites and sharing. The second layout adds a third icon in the middle for “insights” that may provide additional information about the web page. The third layout simply rearranges the same three icons.
Three new possible layouts for the bottom bar of the Google app's in-app browser | Image credit – Android Authority
Although it's not yet available to users, the new bottom bar could bring numerous benefits to Google's in-app browser. It adds functionality directly to the browsing experience and makes tasks like saving or sharing websites easier. It also provides consistency between the app's UI and the in-app browser. Google has been experimenting with the search button in the bottom bar of the main app, and this change could bring the two into line.
In addition to the three bottom bar layouts mentioned above, a “double-decker” layout that includes a search bar was discovered, suggesting that Google is actively looking at different ways to improve the browsing experience in the app.
Although the new bottom bar isn't publicly available yet, it indicates Google's efforts to add more features and make browsing within the app more convenient. It will be interesting to see which layouts, if any, make it into the final version.