In 2022, Google updated the desktop version of Chrome with a new user interface of side panel. This functionality has since been expanded, also including access to favorites. Chrome is now trying to redesign this side panel, also eliminating the dedicated icon in the top bar of the browser. To date, the side panel can be activated by clicking a square icon located next to the avatar of your Google profile. This (most of the time) opens the bookmarks in a right-hand column, while the open page on the left shrinks. There is also a drop-down selector for all side panels: Reading list, Favorites, Chronology, Reading mode, Customize Chrome (only visible when opening a new tab) e Fence. In the near future Chrome will remove the side panel button and instead allow users to block the individual side panels.
Chrome: how the new browser side panel will work
Icons for these functions appear to the right of the address bar and menu Extensions with vertical dividers that give the side panels their own section. Users can decide the order in which these appear. If you open the side panel using the menu del browser (for example by clicking on the icon with the three dots, then Favorites and lists e Show all Favorites) an icon will appear Pin in the top right corner. This new feature is currently available in the release Chrome 121 Betathis is available as a flag: “Side panel navigation and pinning updates”. As specified on the flags page, this support can be enabled for side panel pinning and updates to navigation on Mac, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, Fuchsia, Lacros.
To access it, simply enter the URL: chrome://flags/#side-panel-pinning in the address bar, select Enable next to the corresponding flag and then restart the browser. The advantage of this new tool is that you don’t have to use the side panels if you don’t want to. Otherwise, you will be able to access your favorite options quickly.