What’s new in Google Chrome 111, Arriving Today

It’s time for another fresh Chrome update. Google Chrome 111 available starting March 7, 2023, which includes more improvements for the “Download Bubble” UI, expanded Picture-in-Picture APIs, and smoother transitions for web apps.

What’s new in Google Chrome 111

Chrome 111 could bring major improvements to picture-in-picture mode

Picture-in-picture mode has always been pretty rudimentary ever since it was added to Chrome, whether you’re using it on a desktop or on mobile. Google wants to change that. The company has introduced a new, experimental Document PiP API which will allow developers to run arbitrary HTML elements in picture-in-picture. This could lead to much richer experiences, with developers no longer limited to only showing videos in the mode.

Chrome 111 offers smoother page transitions for web apps

Google is continuing its quest to make web apps feel as native as possible. With Chrome 111, the company is shipping a new View Transitions API that it first started testing in Chrome 104. It will make it easier for developers to add smooth transitions between individual web app pages. While it’s already possible to add animated and smooth transitions using CSS, the API is supposed to make the process easier for developers.

Chrome 111 will show you how many files you’re downloading at the same time on desktops

Google Chrome has been working on a new way to show downloads on desktops. Rather than having individual downloads appear as tabs in a bottom bar, the redesigned download manager lives in the top right corner of the browser interface, next to the address bar. As spotted in the Canary and Developer versions of Chrome 111 already, this so-called download bubble will show how many downloads are active at a given time.

Chrome 111 will automatically revoke permissions from unused websites

Websites sometimes ask you for extra permissions. Some need to access your microphone and camera to enable video chats, and others want to send you notifications. It’s rare that people go back and clean up which permissions are in place for which websites, so Chrome will help with that. Starting with Chrome 111, the browser will automatically revoke permissions for websites that haven’t been used or visited for the last two months.