While the mobile-platform war between iOS and Android will only intensify as both operating systems mature, that doesn’t mean Google is prepared to leave iPhone users out in the cold.
In the same week that Apple officially debuted iOS 7, Google announced a Chrome update specifically designed to take advantage of the new features present in Apple’s updated software.
SEE ALSO: 43% of Global Web Surfers Choose Google Chrome
The new version allows users to easily log into other Google apps on the iPhone or iPad with just one click; this gives them the option to bypass Apple's native software, and makes opting into Google’s app ecosystem more seamless than before.
For example, once logged into Chrome in iOS 7, clicking a YouTube link will not only take you to the video-sharing site, it will also raise a prompt asking for permission to initiate automatic sign-in to your YouTube account.
Similarly, if you click a Google Maps link, but don’t have the app installed on your device, Chrome will display an option message offering the ability to automatically download the app, while you continue your search.
Chrome’s latest version also includes a small, but important tweak to voice search that allows users to string together multiple searches using pronouns. So now, when you verbally search for well-known people, you can look up additional details about them — without repeating their names.
For example, the question “Who is the president of the United States?” can easily be followed up with, “Where was he born?” The search engine will understand that you want to know the birthplace of the U.S. president mentioned in your last query.
Finally, Google’s Chrome update also adds an enhanced full-screen presentation for iPad users.
Those who have taken iOS 7 for spin already know that the new operating system adds several attractive new features to Safari, but the Chrome update will make it difficult to pick between the two browsers.
The updated Chrome browser is now available as a free download in Apple's App Store.
If you get frustrated when Pinterest pins aren't properly sourced, this Chrome extension will help you find what you're looking for.
Leveraging the power of Google search, Pin Search adds a "search" option to each pin, to help you find related links and sources.
Image courtesy of Pin Search
For those Google Reader loyalists in need of a replacement RSS feed, Feedly Beta lets you transition from Reader through July 1.
Feedly Beta, created by popular RSS reader Feedly, tests new features. The magazine-like layout is a pleasant way to access your news feed.
Image courtesy of Feedly Beta
Even though Google Reader is nearly a thing of the past, RSS is still a popular way to consume news for many Internet users.
This Chrome extension lets you easily add the RSS feed of any webpage with just one click. It's compatible with Bloglines and My Yahoo.
Image courtesy of Google
The Chrome extension for content discovery powerhouse StumbleUpon lets you Stumble, rate, share and review links.
If you're just getting started with StumbleUpon, type a word or phrase into the explore box and click "Stumble." You'll land on a sequence of pages based on that word, which you can then share with your friends on other social networks.
Image courtesy of StumbleUpon
Scrollbar of Contents is ideal for people who can't figure out how to scan long webpages. With this extension, you'll find bookmarks next to your scrollbar to help you navigate between the different sections of long webpages.
Image courtesy of Scrollbar of Contents
This desktop and web app combo helps you discover and share new content while researching.
The Chrome app is great, because it lets you simply click on the icon to bookmark the link for future use. We can see this being useful for giant research projects.
Image courtesy of Mendeley Web Importer
Though not yet widely adopted, we still think Mevoked is a cool idea worth highlighting.
While the like, +1 and retweet are somewhat ambiguous responses to content, Mevoked asks users to tag content with three emotion responses: "amused," "funny" or "anxious." You can then search for content on Mevoked's web stream, based on others' emotional responses.
Image courtesy of Mevoked
YouTube fanatic? The Key for YouTube helps you discover new content while you're watching videos.
Using the extension's handful of content discovery features, browse comments on the video you're watching without scrolling to the bottom of the page, browse new videos and comments, and view animated thumbnails for new videos.
Image courtesy of Key for YouTube
If you spend a lot of time on Tumblr, this app may make your browsing more efficient. Whenever you land on a new Tumblr, the Tumby icon appears, giving you the option to open a "Tumby page."
A Tumby page features a Pinterest-like display of top content from that Tumblr blog. Though this may seem redundant with waterfall Tumblr layouts, Tumby pages also let you browse the posts when you hover your mouse over the visual.
Image courtesy of Tumby
Pocket, formerly known as Read It Later, lets you store and organize everything you read into folders for another time.
This popular app syncs among all of your devices, so if you see a link you'd like to read during the work day, open it on your phone during your train ride home at the end of the day.
Image courtesy of Pocket
Blogging just got way more efficient with Zemanta's Chrome extension, which recommends related links, images and photos to include in your posts.
Zemanta works for a handful of blogging platforms, including WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger.
Image courtesy of Zemanta
Another extension with a low user count, Spling is a social content sharing platform. When you "Spling" a link, it shares with your groups and adds to the list of links you've highlighted.
With Spling, you're more likely to enjoy the content people you are connected to read and share.
Image courtesy of Spling
Image: Flickr, Denis Cappellin