Google Chrome for Mac Gains New Memory Saver and Energy Saver Modes

[S1njin]

I had no idea Edge was available on iOS or Mac. I’m happy I’ve come back to this I forum after such a long hiatus; learning new stuff all the time.

I wasn’t planning on using Chrome on my new Mac; but I was unsure of whether to choose Firefox. Now I’m not sure if my backup should be Firefox or Edge, or maybe if one of these should actually be my primary !

 

[CarAnalogy]

I use 1Password.

Yeah and there is a framework for autofill supported by macOS that could plug in to that, but only Safari supports it. It could be natively done without a browser plugin, but the browser vendors don’t want that because they have identified password management as a method of lock-in.

 

[DeepIn2U]

It's about time.

I switched to Edge about a year ago due to checking memory monitor and seeing just how much Chrome was using. Crazy amount.

This - it's about f'n time for this.

Glad, Google pushed this update out. Desperately needed. Google Chrome has been using too much RAM. Now, we need it for iOS devices too, please.

Agreed!

Question is, why are these modes Va being baked into the app entirely and on by default, or is it?!??

On macOS I don’t rely on chrome as heavily as I do on my work PC and even there is beginning to use MS Edge more and more and liking it more and more.

 

[Avenged110]

Interesting. Only the memory option shows for me despite having the flag enabled for the energy saver mode (the one I actually want to use). Granted, this is in Chromium Legacy, but the feature should still be present.

Chrome still trash. If you're on Mac, just use Orion Browser. So much better since it's essentially Safari but without Apple's crap, browser compatibility modes for sites designed for Chrome, and access to Firefox and Chrome plugins. And since it uses WebKit it has access to TouchID, Keychain, Apple accounts, and Apple Pay.

Thank you for mentioning Orion – I had no idea that project existed. It's exactly what I wanted for whenever I'm using newer versions of OS X – Safari, but with proper extension support returned. Nice.

 

[MauiPa]

Lipstick on a pig

 

[Steve121178]

Seriously, why do people still use Chrome? That browser simply ignores the privacy oft its users. There are other browsers with the same Chromium engine, but much better privacy.

Just spend 10 seconds disabling a few things and Chrome is just fine. There's no real need for the hysterical "privacy" concerns people have if they just easily disable about 3 things.

I think Brave is the better Chomium based browser with Vivaldi & Edge not too far behind although Microsoft seems to be going a bit OTT with their browser - it's becoming a bit bloated with features that no one's really asking for although we have to remember it's also aimed at the Enterprise. Obviously Vivaldi isn't for everyone but if you want customisation and features it's very good, with an iOS counterpart finally coming next year.

 

[Steve121178]

It's a good thing they are improving their memory/battery management, since when they impose manifest v3 early next year, all chrome users are going to be dealing with a lot more ads and trackers that their formerly functional extensions used to block out.

EDIT: And that goes for Edge users, too.

Yeah, I think tech websites really need to start running more articles about v3 and what it means for users of Chrome & Edge.

Brave have already explained that their browser will not be affected as their ad-blocking is built in to the browser but still reads like 3rd party extensions will be affected:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574822800971501568

There was a very in-depth article on their forums or blog page, but can't find it.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Seriously. Just in time for me, and I’m sure many others, to switch to Firefox. Chromium Edge was nice but that’s a big no moving forward. Jan 2023, mark the date, people.

Microsoft has ruined Edge. They have bloated it up so bad. It was good for a while, but they are going to support Manifest 3 so no thanks.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I like Firefox, but…

I remember when their PR people complained that Apple's Software Update could install Safari on Windows if users failed to uncheck a checkbox, while not acknowledging that if you ran Firefox its default would be to take over the default browser role. They're both crimes against your users, but the latter is a much bigger crime towards your users: an installed bit of software can sit forever harmlessly on a novice's computer. Taking over default browser is a forever choice for novices.

It wasn't a big thing, but it forced me to look over some of their earlier decisions and pay more attention to their future decisions. And I came to the conclusion they were more interested in playing with standards than advancing the web. In the case of ambiguous standards, Mozilla would intentionally pick the stupidest possible way to implement something rather than the intended way in the interest of pointing out flaws in the standard rather than providing a good browsing experience.

Eventually I decided I wanted a browser not a political engine. I often have Firefox installed to check for compatibility, but it's the last browser I install.

Safari isn't available anymore on Windows, but I'm pretty sure Firefox will still take over a Mac or PC by default.

Firefox will not take over as the default on Windows or Mac. It will ask but it wont do it unless you let it.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I use Edge as my default browser on my Macs and iPhone. It syncs great together on everything and it’s fast and uses way less memory. It’s still chrome based as well and pretty much supports everything it does including add ons, web apps etc… it’s fantastic browser!

It was fantastic. It really was when it came out. Now they keep adding stuff no one wants. Logging into Edge the first time on a computer is major deal, with some many prompts etc...I just want to use the browser. The shopping stuff will popup until you disable it. The side bar pops out now. Microsoft just stop already.

On the 5th (?) Microsoft announced their timeline for implementing manifest 3.....and that ends my time with Edge when it happens.

 

[HMI]

See, this is proof right here that Google can make a blue bubble shape!

 

[steve333]

Safari has been awful on Ventura.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Safari +wipr for life.

I only use chrome for those doesn't seem play with this duo.

This is a fantastic combination. Sadly I have to use Windows at times. I have the iCloud for Windows installed, the latest version and I can keep both FireFox and Safari in sync for book marks. I use BitWarden so my passwords are in it and I do not let browsers keep copies of my passwords.

On a Mac it is Safari + Wipr always. If some page does not work....then FireFox and lastely if it needs a chromium browser I will use Edge. Chrome is dead to me and has been for 2-3 years now.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Safari has been awful on Ventura.

Why? Works for me, I use it everyday.

 

[adib]

Is Keystone finally removed from Chrome?

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I had no idea Edge was available on iOS or Mac. I’m happy I’ve come back to this I forum after such a long hiatus; learning new stuff all the time.

I wasn’t planning on using Chrome on my new Mac; but I was unsure of whether to choose Firefox. Now I’m not sure if my backup should be Firefox or Edge, or maybe if one of these should actually be my primary !

Safari with a backup of FireFox. Edge is implementing Google's manifest 3 and ad blocking will fall through the floor. Edge is so bloated now, with lots of useless new features.

 

[genovelle]

It's about time.

I switched to Edge about a year ago due to checking memory monitor and seeing just how much Chrome was using. Crazy amount.

Have they stopped installing a server on your PC that constantly sends data back to them? Even when it’s not open.

 

[Choco Taco]

Is Keystone finally removed from Chrome?

No. That is an eternal feature.

 

[genovelle]

How is it spying when the user has consented to the Terms of Use or an EULA?

A bit hyperbolic don't you think?

They know no one is reading a 84 page legal document for a browser. They also have been caught multiple times tracking people when they say they won’t.

 

[genovelle]

Is there a mode where you can turn off Google Analytics from running in the background while using Chrome?😅

I haven't used Chrome in forever since my machine only has 8GB of RAM.😟

Nope. That’s a feature

 

[genovelle]

I don't even use chrome, but my wife insists upon it, whilst complaining that her computer is slow))) I'm hoping this will take some ram back!

Unfortunately, Chrome is becoming the Explorer of the 2020s. IT guys are pushing it hard and making chrome the only compatible browser. Safari exists because Microsoft created the same lock down of the net and then stopped supporting the Mac properly. Google did the same thing with Maps on the iPhone and Apple Maps was born.

 

[Choco Taco]

Unfortunately, Chrome is becoming the Explorer of the 2020s. IT guys are pushing it hard and making chrome the only compatible browser. Safari exists because Microsoft created the same lock down of the net and then stopped supporting the Mac properly. Google did the same thing with Maps on the iPhone and Apple Maps was born.

Yes, it's annoying. I'm just glad Brave exists so I can enjoy a browser that's compatible with everything on the web without all the astronomical spyware bloat.

 

[steve333]

Why? Works for me, I use it everyday.

I've had pages just freeze, or suddenly the graphics get wonky, some pages won't load.I also had a memory error on some pages like facebook, that told me to close the window.
No issues prior to Ventura

 

[mjs916]

Safari maybe 99% of the time with FFX as a backup if/when something doesn't work quite right.

The only time I routinely lean to FFX is when I'm playing on the Internet Arcade (no sound in Safari).

Internet Arcade is new to me. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Flood4]

For all the people saying use Firefox/safari/edge, I didn’t fully try them, but for the 1-2h I tried, I could not find all my extensions. (Mostly for SEO and for web analytics).
I’m using around 15-20 extensions.

Do you have a workaround? Or a way to use chrome extension elsewhere?

And is there equivalent to the chrome account? I work with 3 differents company and I have a google account for each of them so it’s nice to just quickly open a new chrome windows with bookmark and extension for each.


PS: I always have 10+ tabs but no speed problem with chrome. (M1/16).