Chrome 78 rolling out to devices now with file system and SMS APIs

The new APIs will let sites access local files and check SMS verification codes

Google Chrome app on Android

Chrome 78 is now rolling out to Android, macOS and Windows. It brings a slew of changes, security fixes and more.

Kickoff and foremost, the update brings the new Native File System API, which allows web pages to access your reckoner or phone'due south local files straight. The feature is bachelor as an 'Origin Trial' in Chrome 78.

The API allows web sites to bring up a file picker window. Users tin can select a single file, multiple files or entire folders, depending on what the site allows. Then, the site tin can make changes to those files.

The Chrome squad built several security precautions into the API, then don't worry about malicious sites using it to steal data. Plus, Google will continue to update and secure the characteristic before it officially rolls out.

For case, sites tin can just meet files users select, and tin can only save changes to those files if users grant permission to do and so. On desktop, web sites with that permission show an indicator in the address bar. Plus, the permission goes away when users close the page.

Google too added a new SMS Receiver API, which allows Chrome to check verification text messages.

Typically, when a site wants to verify you using SMS, you accept to leave Chrome and check your phone for the bulletin, re-create the code and go back to Chrome to paste it in.

Google added an Android API that can automate this procedure with apps, and the SMS Receiver API enables a similar function for Chrome.

The search giant says the website can't access your text letters. It can simply see the single verification text sent from the website. Google also implemented security measures to prevent sites from viewing verification messages from other sites.

Other small features

Here's a brusk list of some of the other small changes that constitute their way into Chrome 78.

Emoji in placeholder text now appears grey like regular text
Web pages tin can't create a pop-up window when closed. This doesn't affect the 'Are y'all certain yous desire to close this tab?' dialogue that appears when closing a site where you lot've entered information that could be lost on exit.
Chrome now supports JavaScript optional chaining
Media Session API getting a new seeking option. It could let, for instance, the Spotify web app to have the same seekable timeline bar equally it does in the notification on Android x

Source: Android Police