14 DAY TRIAL // Let’s be honest about it: the battery impact of modern browsers is way too heavy, and running the likes of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on a laptop could eventually be a massive task dramatically impacting the autonomy of the device.
However, it’s not a secret that most browser makers out there have tried to improve the applications on this front, and more often than not, the features they shipped really made a huge difference.
Now Google is getting ready for another big change that help improve the battery usage of Google Chrome, with the browser getting a dedicated Energy Saver mode.
The way the whole thing works reminds of the battery saving feature that’s already available on our laptops and mobile devices. The browser limits the performance of certain features, such as the background activity, all with the purpose of reducing the battery impact of the device.
“Running low on battery and don’t have a laptop charger nearby? When you’re browsing the Web with Chrome and your device battery level reaches 20%, Chrome will save battery by limiting background activity and visual effects for websites with animations and videos,” Google explains.
The new feature is part of Chrome 108, and Google emphasizes that while the battery saving mode is a great addition, putting users in control of the way the browser runs is essential for the overall experience with the app. This is why disabling the battery saving mode is totally possible from the Chrome configuration screen.
“You’re always in control of personalizing the performance of Chrome. When these tools roll out to you, you'll be able to turn off either feature or mark your most important websites exempt from Memory Saver. You can find these controls under the three-dot menu in Chrome,” the company says.