Though still experimental behind a flag ( chrome://flags/#enable-web-bluetooth ), Chrome 57 allowed web pages to communicate directly with nearby Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices (e.g., heart rate monitors, smart lights).
This update laid the groundwork for the sophisticated picture-in-picture and global media controls we see in modern Chrome versions today. It transformed the browser from a passive container for websites into an active media hub. chrome 57.0
: Support for this API allowed websites to customize the media metadata displayed in the system's lock screen and notification area, such as track titles and artist names. Security Patches : Support for this API allowed websites to
Released in early 2017, Chrome 57.0 was not just another iterative update; it was a foundational shift in how the browser managed system resources, how users interacted with their media, and how the web itself was indexed. It marked the moment Chrome moved from being merely a fast browser to a sophisticated operating system within an operating system. Notably, Chrome 57
Notably, Chrome 57.0 was the last version to support Windows XP and Windows Vista. Google extended support for those old OSes until April 2017, but Chrome 57.0 was the final safe update. Users on those systems were urged to upgrade their hardware or face security vulnerabilities.
: One of the most notable additions was the "Reading List" feature for iOS users, allowing them to save articles to read later, even without an internet connection. CSS Grid Layout Support : This version introduced native support for CSS Grid Layout
This allowed web apps (music players, podcasts, video sites) to customize media notifications and respond to hardware media keys (play/pause/next/prev) on your keyboard or headset.