Google is exploring several 'major' changes to its Chrome browser user interface (UI) to make it even more radical, including the potential removal of the address bar from the standard Chrome interface. The address bar currently takes up a significant amount of space that could be used for Web browsing.

An e-mail sent to the Chromium developer mailing list by product manager Jeff Chang indjcates that Google has, " ... a number of VI/front-end efforts under way" for Chrome. The new 'compact' navigation mode that calls for the removal of the bar, would take the Web address bar out of each tab:releasing more screen space to display Web pages.

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The 'hidden' address bar would appear when a page is loading and whenever a user clicks on the tab of a given page itself. "If we take the address bar out of the tab, it can be used as both a launcher and switcher; users do not have to worry about replacing their active tab," says Google.

The Chrome UI variants page mentions that the Intemet titan is considering four different layouts - with four different types of navigation: classic navigation, compact navigation, side tab navigation as well as a touchscreen version. Google is currently 'interested' in developing all four versions, but current builds of Chrome " ... are focused on classic and compact navigation styles."