Google updates Chrome with reset button, smarter omnibox

If you use Google's Chrome browser and may have added some unwanted settings or extensions, this new feature may come in handy.

The latest version of Chrome now comes with a reset button that can reset the browser to its default settings, along with a smarter omnibox.

"(F)or those nostalgic for the new car smell—maybe you, too, got overzealous with fun extensions—we’ve added a new option to the Chrome settings page to let you restore it back to its original state. And don’t worry, it won’t affect your themes, bookmarks or apps," software engineer Mark Pearson said in a blog post.

Pearson said the improvements to omnibox suggestions will be based on the "recency of websites you visited," and should give more "timely and contextually relevant suggestions."

He added Chrome for Mac will have support for rich notifications, "so you can keep up with what’s happening within your apps and extensions."

Meanwhile, Pearson said Chrome for Android will feature improved scrolling and startup performance.

The Android version will also get WebRTC support to enable video conversation directly in the browser without need for a plugin.

In resetting browser settings, the following changes will occur:

• Default search engine and saved search engines will be reset and to their orginal defaults.
• Homepage button will be hidden and the URL you previously set will be removed.
• Default startup tabs will be cleared.
• New Tab page will be empty unless you have a version of Chrome with an extension that controls it.
• Pinned tabs will be unpinned.
• Content settings will be cleared and reset to installation defaults.
• Cookies and site data will be cleared.
• Extensions and themes will be disabled.