GitHub's recent update to the Compare View feature enables users to compare branches across different repositories, enhancing the platform's collaborative capabilities by allowing for cross-repository comparisons. This update addresses a previous limitation where comparisons were restricted to a single repository, by introducing a new architectural change that lets users specify a `<user>:` prefix in the comparison's starting or ending point. This prefix identifies the owner of another repository or fork within the same network, facilitating more comprehensive comparisons. Users can change the starting or ending points by clicking the reference label buttons and entering the desired branch name or commit SHA1, as demonstrated in the example of comparing branches in the homebrew network.