Chrome for Android now lets you download videos and web pages for offline viewing
Google has announced that it is rolling out an update to Chrome for Android (55.0.2883.84) that gives you the ability to download videos, music, and entire web pages for offline viewing. You'll also be able to view and share your downloads without leaving Chrome.
The upcoming build will also highlight misspelled words in text fields, and brings a slew of improvements to the contextual search user interface. Along with the new features, the update contains the usual performance, memory, and stability fixes.
I'm on the Chrome Canary channel (it's a fun place to be), which has had offline downloads for some time now. Here's how it works: the update brings a download button to the menu bar (next to the bookmark button), and clicking it when you're on a web page or viewing a video initiates the download. Once the content is downloaded, you'll be able to view it without an internet connection. There's also a dedicated "Downloads" section that lets you view all the media you've downloaded.
Google mentions that the update will be available over the coming days, so if you don't see it just yet, hold tight.
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Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.