What you need to know
- It looks like Google is experimenting with the partial split screen layout for Chrome OS.
- The demo option allows you to align windows with 2/3 and 1/3 sizes.
- This feature is currently available in Chrome OS 105 on the Dev channel.
It looks like Google is adding support for partial split-screen layout to Chrome OS, as evidenced by a new tag in Chrome OS 105.
A new icon found in the latest Chrome OS release on the Dev Channel indicates that you may soon be able to align windows to 2/3 and 1/3 split-width layouts, according to About Chromebooks (Opens in a new tab). The experimental ability may seem familiar to Windows 11 users, who can already snap their windows in different sizes.
In the latest version of Windows, you have several options for how to change the size and arrangement of windows on your screen. For example, you can view snap layouts when you hover over the maximize button in the window. The same option appears to be in the Chrome OS app.
As shown in the screenshot shared by About Chromebooks, it appears that the multitasking feature will allow you to display different layouts for capturing and arranging windows. This is supposed to be possible by hovering over the icon used to maximize or minimize the window, just like in Windows 11. Options include half-size, partial, full-screen, and floating layouts.
It’s not clear if Chrome OS’ partial split window feature will behave similarly to Windows 11 in all respects, such as resizing any captured window at the same time when resizing a snap window. Another useful option is the ability to snap a window without pushing it to the edge of the screen when you drag it.
The split screen mode made its debut last month thanks to a piece of evidence spotted in the Chromium repository. However, there were no visual signs at the time that would give us a complete idea of how it was implemented.
If recent results are any indication, a new multitasking feature should soon be available on many of the best Chromebooks.
