Chrome for mobile adds handy action shortcuts for local businesses

Google is making subtle quality of life improvements to its Chrome mobile apps. The Android and iOS versions of the browser now offer faster access to important information, trending searches, and live sports scores in the Discovery Feed.

Chrome Actions, preset tasks that appear in the browser’s address bar when triggered by trigger words, now include one for local businesses. For example, if you search for a nearby restaurant, a shortcut with the establishment’s name and address will appear at the top of the bar, along with buttons to call, get directions, or read reviews.

The feature is now available in Chrome for Android, and Google says it will also be available on iOS this fall.

Chrome Mobile is also getting new usage-based shortcut suggestions. If you normally type a certain phrase to go to a certain website, the browser will learn this and include a link to it high up in your search suggestions. As the example above shows, if you normally type “timetables” to view the City Metro webpage, the link will appear more prominently in recommendations.

Chrome for mobile’s Discover feed, the contextual cards you see when you open a new tab or the Google app on mobile, now includes live sports scores. When a team you like and Google has discovered is playing, a Discover card now shows the live score, which updates automatically.

Trending searches that Android devices already show in the Chrome address bar (before you type anything) are now available on iOS. And finally, the browser’s tablet address bar better matches the company’s Material You design language. The bar on tablets now also includes the current website at the top – always visible – to make it easier to stay on the page.

You can read more about Google’s Chrome additions on the company’s blog.