Google's finally got something to offer iPhone users

By Dan Isacsson November 15, 2015

google chrome beta ios 3d touch on force — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Waiting for the next stable build of Google Chrome on iOS? Stop begrudging users with beta access on other platforms: Chrome is now available for download through Apple’s TestFlight service, which gives developers the ability to grant beta access to their applications.

To sign up, iOS users must first download the app from Google’s beta download page, enter an email address, and wait for an email with a link to download the app through TestFlight.

The TestFlight service is usually limited to a pool of 2,000 users per app. This time, it appears that Google and Apple have talked things over to allow a larger test group, as there is no mention of an upper limit. The search giant has long since had beta and development channels for its software on other platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, and Android. In short, they’ve waited an awfully long time to get iOS onboard.

The beta grants users a number of new features, but the most interesting one is the addition of 3D touch features. Those with Apple’s latest iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will be able to deep-press the Chrome icon on the home screen to either open a new tab, start voice search, or switch to incognito mode. Bluetooth keyboards also get support for a small set of new shortcuts, including the ability to open, close, or change tabs, as well as voice search.

Beta access means happy faces. Not only will Google get even more feedback on the features it plans to implement in future stable builds, the beta also allows it to fix critical bugs and improve the overall user experience on iOS. For more adventurous users, this should come as a pleasant surprise, as they can expect future beta builds to expand upon the software’s current functionality.

Topics

Contributor

Being a gamer since the age of three, Dan took an interest in mobile gaming back in 2009. Since then he's been digging ever…

Mobile

Apple just admitted defeat to Android phones

A Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain (left) with an iPhone 15 Pro in Blue Titanium held in hand.

For years, Apple’s smartphones have held a decisive upper hand over Android devices in one crucial aspect: the longevity of the software support cycle. In a nutshell, as long as your phone keeps getting updates, it will run just about fine.

Brand assurances play a crucial role in buyer behavior, as long-term update support means your phone will not only get new tricks but also security flaws patched. Notably, Apple is not into the habit of quoting how many years it will offer software support for each device, but it has held the crown for a while.

Mobile

Google’s Gemini AI app gets a wider release. Is your phone on the list?

Google Gemini app on Android.

More people can now use and enjoy the Google Gemini AI app on their smartphone, as the company has expanded the list of regions where the Android version of the app is available through the Google Play Store. Specifically, it has launched the Android app in the U.K. and Europe, opening the service up far beyond its start in the U.S., where it was released in February.

What’s more, Google says Gemini will soon be available to iPhone owners, as the AI chatbot will appear on iOS in the next few weeks. It won’t be a standalone app though, as Gemini will instead work through the official Google app that can be downloaded now through the Apple App Store.

Mobile

Google is making it easier to ditch your iPhone for an Android phone

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro in hand.

Switching phones is never a smooth process, even if you’re switching between two different Android phones. However, when you’re trying to switch from an iPhone to Android or vice versa, it can be extra complicated -- and you can lose data and apps that you rely on. This is especially the case with Apple-to-Android transfers because the iPhone has a much stronger ecosystem lock-in with things like iMessage, iCloud backups, and exclusive apps like Overcast and Hyperlapse.

The good news is that with its Data Transfer Tool (also called Pixel Migrate on Pixel devices), Google may be trying to mitigate some of the phone-switching problems that arise -- specifically, losing access to your Live Photos. According to an APK teardown from Android Authority, Google’s Data Transfer Tool will finally resolve the problem of migrating iOS Live Photos to Android. It will do this by converting them over as Motion Photos.