Google Chrome update lets you share tabs across devices

A month after Google introduced its multi-browser tab opening functionality for Chrome Beta, the new feature already set to make its debut in the stable release of the browser.

The new feature lets you manage open tabs across different computers and mobile devices running Android OS 4.0 and higher.

Tab sharing works by connecting all the open tabs in Chrome on several different computers. So long as you’re signed into Google via Chrome on each computer, a new menu — aptly named “Other devices” —  lets you view all the tabs open on every install of the browser across multiple platforms. It’s a small, albeit useful, update that will be helpful if you find something you want to read later while at work, such as a Yelp review while your on the way to a a restaurant.

Sharing tabs between computers will work with the latest Chrome update, which is due out in the next few days. To use the feature on your Android phone, it needs have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or higher and the Chrome Beta mobile browser installed. Those that don’t have Ice Cream Sandwich on their Android phone can use Chrome to Phone, an extension that sends Chrome tabs to the default browser on Android 2.2 or higher.

Somewhat coinciding with the news, Macquarie analyst Ben Schacter asserted Tuesday that Chrome for iOS is on its way, according to a Business Insider report. Schacter says that we can expect Chrome for iPads and iPhones by the second quarter of 2012, or slightly thereafter.

The news is almost completely bunk since Apple doesn’t allow third-party browsers on iOS, which is why you don’t see a full Firefox browser on the iPad or iPhone. Google uses its own version of WebKit to build Chrome, as opposed to Apple’s version. For this reason, Apple won’t allow it on iOS. While Google stands to gain some cash from getting its browser on iOS, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon.

Expect the Chrome update to roll out in the next few days. As for the functionality once you do get the multi-tab feature, Google says to be patient because it will take time for the tabs to sync.