Chrome for Android gets application shortcuts and faster search

With the Beta release of Chrome for Android rolling out today, it's now easier to create shortcuts on your homescreen to do exactly that. When visiting a website you'd like to save, simply select "Add to homescreen" in the toolbar menu.

Anytime you'd like to open the saved website, you can just tap its icon in your homescreen. For some websites, the shortcut will open inside a full-screen experience and appear as a separate app in the app switcher.

Also new is the "new tab page" the mimics the design found on desktops. Search is now present right in the middle of the tab (redundant since you could also search from the URL/search bar/Omnibox), and your most frequently visited sites appear along the bottom for quick access. The update is said to go live at some point today, and if you haven't yet, you can live on the bleeding edge and download Chrome Beta for Android via link below.

Google Play Store Link