New Chrome Mobile Shortcuts Let You Call a Restaurant from Your Address Bar

Google has added new Chrome Actions to mobile that will let you call, read reviews for, or get directions to a restaurant or other business — all right from the address bar. The company announced the new feature in a blog on Wednesday.

New Features for Android and iOS Users

Android users will see this new feature right away, but iOS users will have to wait until the fall. These new shortcuts are part of Google's ongoing efforts to enhance user convenience and streamline tasks directly within the Chrome browser.

A screenshot of the new Chrome Action shortcuts. Image: Google

What Are Chrome Actions?

First introduced in 2020, Chrome Actions let you quickly perform tasks from the address bar by typing in select queries, like “edit passwords,” “delete history,” or “translate this page.” It’s one of a few address bar shortcuts Google offers, like the “@” shortcut that lets you quickly find bookmarks, tabs, and links from your history.

How to Use the New Shortcuts

The new Chrome Actions for mobile allow users to:

• Call a Restaurant: Simply type the name of the restaurant into the address bar, and a shortcut will appear to let you call them directly.

• Read Reviews: Get quick access to customer reviews for restaurants and businesses.

• Get Directions: Easily find your way to a restaurant or business with a shortcut to Google Maps for directions.

These shortcuts make it faster and more convenient to interact with businesses directly from your browser without needing to navigate through multiple apps.

Additional Chrome Updates

Along with new Chrome Actions, Google also added a few other updates, including:

• Live Sports Cards in Chrome’s Discover Feed: This feature lets iOS and Android users receive automatic updates about their favorite sports teams, which can be customized to show the latest scores, news, and highlights.

• Trending Search Suggestions for iOS Users: When clicking on the address bar from the New Tab page, iOS users will now see trending search suggestions, helping them stay updated with the latest topics and searches.

How to Enable and Use Chrome Actions

To use these new shortcuts, simply update your Chrome browser to the latest version. For Android users, the features should be available immediately. iOS users will need to wait until the fall to access these new functionalities.

1. Open Chrome on your mobile device.

2. Type the name of the restaurant or business into the address bar.

3. Select the desired action (call, read reviews, or get directions) from the shortcuts that appear.

Conclusion

Google continues to innovate and improve user experience with practical updates that save time and simplify everyday tasks. The new Chrome Actions for mobile are a testament to this, offering quick and easy ways to interact with businesses right from the browser. Stay tuned for more updates as Google rolls out these features to iOS users later this year.

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