Google Makes Chrome’ Picture-in-Picture Handier for Users by supporting Arbitrary HTML Content

Google has released Chrome beta version 111 with various trial features that will increase the usefulness of the browser’s feature named picture-in-picture. The company looks into allowing it to show web content in a floating window staying on top of all other windows rather than making it available for playing videos.

The feature has a few ways known as Document Picture-in-Picture that could be handy for users. Some Google examples spin on how the above feature works, including video players with custom UI or minelayers to conduct video conference that allows you to view a grid of people and use controls to raise a hand or mute yourself.

Users can easily visualize the entire applets that can also benefit from the API. A Pomodoro site already uses it with supported browsers, and you can use a site that gives you a picture-in-picture task list or notepad. Google Chrome’s feature could also display a playlist for users’ favorite music.

Using full-document picture-in-picture by various sites could lead the feature to browsers comprising non-Chromium engines. According to one of the developers, they tried to inquire about their positions on whether or not many sites can use the feature, but they did not get an answer. Mozilla teams also raised some concerns regarding the features that may come in handy as a venue for aggravating pop-ups and Apple folks.

The Document Picture-in-Picture Feature

According to the Chrome Platform Status tracker, Google’s Chrome 115 shall soon have the updated feature as trialed one. The company will release it to the public sometime in June. Developers plan to consider feedbacks they receive on updated picture-in-picture to decide about their next move.

Google says users can enable the flag of its browser’s latest feature to activate the support for it. They will need to write chrome://flags/#document-picture-in-picture-api in the URL bar, open the drop-down menu, and choose enabled. While you might not find many websites supporting the updated feature, Google anticipates more and more sites will use it in the year ahead.

Expansion of Picture-in-Picture Feature

Google Chrome’s Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature will have Document PiP as part of the latest beta version 111. Chrome users can watch their favorite video clips in a floating window that remains on top of the other windows in the browser while they use other apps or sites.

The Document Picture-in-Picture update is a sign that Google is dedicated to exploring ways of expansion via the window showing all web content. Google says it has expanded the Picture-in-Picture API that lets an HTML Video Element be into a PiP window. Also, it enables web developers to offer a more enhanced Picture-in-Picture experience.