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Google Chrome is testing a new feature that will let you control YouTube videos and your music from the toolbar. This means you don’t need to be on the tab that’s playing media to control it.

Let me show you an example. I opened a YouTube video and started playing it. A media icon appeared right next to my profile icon on the top-right corner of Chrome.

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You’ll see the same thing for Spotify.

The Flag

This feature is currently being tested behind a flag. Enable this flag and restart Chrome to test it:

Name: Global Media Controls Description: Enables the Global Media Controls UI in the toolbar. – Mac, Windows, Linux URL: chrome://flags/#global-media-controls

I have a feeling that this is going to be a really popular feature on Chrome and possibly other Chromium-based browsers. I didn’t initially think Picture in Picture is going to be a big thing. However, I use it daily now!

If you have Canary version of Chrome, give this a try and let me know what you think. If not, take a look at these screenshots and tell me if you think this is going to be a popular feature.