"Unlock the Power of Chrome Address Bar: 10 Hidden Features Beyond Search"

Everything You Can Do From the Chrome Address Bar (Omnibox)

Source: WIRED

Introduction to the Omnibox

The omnibox, located at the top of the Google Chrome interface, serves as a multifunctional tool beyond typing URLs or performing Google searches. It saves time by allowing users to perform various tasks without switching apps.

Key Features and Functions

• Chat with Gemini: Type @gemini followed by your prompt to interact with Google Gemini.
• Conversions: Easily perform conversions (e.g., £34 in us dollars) by typing the desired operation.
• Basic Calculations: Input calculations directly (e.g., 24*8) to see immediate results without hitting enter.
• Weather Updates: Check the weather by typing weather or adding a location (e.g., weather New York) for more details.
• Search Bookmarks: Find saved bookmarks by typing the name of a folder followed by relevant keywords.
• Note-taking: Quickly create a note by entering data:text/html, for a blank text tab.
• Definitions: Get word meanings on-the-go by typing define followed by the word.
• Create New Documents: Launch new Google documents, spreadsheets, or presentations by typing docs.new, sheets.new, or slides.new.
• Start New Emails: Use mailto: to open a new email in your default email client, with optional pre-filled recipients.
• Instant Searches: Ask quick questions to get facts, figures, or definitions straight from the omnibox, like the height of the Eiffel Tower.

Conclusion

Understanding the full capabilities of Chrome's omnibox can enhance productivity and streamline various digital tasks, making it a powerful feature of the browser.