No More Http In Google Chrome
Many Internet users load websites by entering the prefix http:// and then the url (actual address) of the domain in the address bar of the web browser they are using.
This is a standard that has been there since the invention of the World Wide Web. But HTTP is in fact not needed to load websites as sites will load just fine if you don't use it at all when you want to load websites in the browser. Removing it speeds up the process a bit as you have to type less characters to load a site in your browser of choice.
The developers of Chromium, the open source browser project that builds the core of the Google Chrome web browser, have started to remove http:// from the address bar of the web browser.
Even if users enter an url with http:// it will not be carried over, and is removed instead from the browser's address bar.
The http:// is hidden from the user's view. Users who copy and paste an url will notice that it will be added to the url automatically when they paste it again, meaning that it is still there but hidden from view.
All other prefixes like https or ftp remain untouched and are still displayed in the browser's address bar. This is especially important for https connections which highlight to the user that a secure connection to the site in question has been established.
A globe icon is displayed next to the url now that visualizes the http:// prefix.
Basically, if no protocol is shown in front of the address it is a http connection.
The change is problematic from a usability standpoint especially since all other web browsers on the market display http:// normally.
Another issue that may come up for some users is that it is now not possible to only copy the hostname (e.g. www.example.com) as the http:// will always be added to the string when copied.
The change is only implemented in the latest developer builds of Google Chrome. The devs have stated that they won't revert the changes which means it is likely to hit the beta and release builds of the browser in the near future. What's your take on the change?
Update: Google Chrome hides HTTP:// in all versions of the browser including the latest stable version. Some other companies, Microsoft with its Edge browser, have followed Google's lead and removed the http protocol listing from the address bar of the web browser as well.
Ridiculous.
how am i suppose to go to an address with port?
I really don’t like it, and have no idea how to revert it. Especially every time I use ‘https’, I have to type whole ‘https://’ than just add an ‘s’ after the “http” like before.
So stupid. Why disobey to standards.
Because some standards are stupid to obey?
I don’t see the issue for regular folks they don’t pay attention anyway. For tech savvy folks like myself I haven’t typed http:// in years, for the most part I omit the www. too. just domain ctrl + enter. ;)
What about chromeplus ?
It is likely that this will be also added to Chromeplus eventually.
They are slowly ruining an exceptionally good project… makes me a little sad, but I switched to SRWare Iron anyway, so I’m still okay.
The current lack of http:// does not have any much difference to the overall browsing experience.
However, shitstorms are raging over the other changes in the Dev channel.
This should be an optional feature.