Google updates Chrome – faster, more stable and now with form autofill too

I may not be enamoured by gmail but I’m a sucker for Google Chrome. I admit it. So, it brings me great pleasure that the G-Lords have just updated their browser by making it 30% faster at loading Java-heavy pages and added a couple of features too.

The new version of Google’s WebKit, on which the sofware’s based, and the V8 Java engine are to thank for a lot of the improvement but, if it’s tweaks you’re after, then you’ll be pleased to hear they’ve added the auto form-fill and a degree of discretion by allowing you to delete thumbnails from the “most viewed pages” section. What you browse when you’re not reading Tech Digest will, of course, go no further.

If you haven’t tried Chrome, I’d recommend giving it a blast. If you’re using Firefox, I’m not going to argue. I’d risk the wrath of a certain Mr Rawlins if I didn’t give a shout out to Opera and, if you’re using IE, please stop.

(via Google Blog)

Google Chrome TV ad hits the airwaves

Google has taken, what is for them, an unprecedented marketing step by releasing a TV advert to promote one of their services. A 30-second commercial for Chrome is now airing in the States to encourage the public to use their browser which launched a year ago.

The advert was put together by a team from YouTube and is obviously designed to demonstrate the simplicity of the software with the playschool look animation. That’s all very well and good on YouTube but Google’s aim is to take market share away from IE, which currently handles over 60% of US traffic, and that could be difficult when the advert doesn’t explain what Chrome actually is.

Google Chrome back to beta for the next generation

chrome-beta.jpg

I’ll admit it right now. I’m a Google Chrome user. I downloaded it however many months ago it was now and it it’s still the default browser on my work PC.

I might try to convince myself that it’s still here through laziness or that I’ve just become accustomed to it but the fact remains that it just seems quicker and to crash less than Firefox does. (Sorry Leon, I’ve tried Opera but it’s just not my cup of tea.)

So, I’m quite pleased today to see that Google has launched a new beta…

Happy Birthday, Google Chrome – 1.0 today

tech-digest-browser-chrome-1.jpg

The browser the world didn’t demand has come out of beta today, with Google releasing a “1.0” version of its Chrome web toy for a largely disinterested world to not bother with once again.

You’re probably reading this in Firefox or Internet Explorer, so it won’t mean much, but the few Chrome users out there will be pleased to know that Google reckons Chrome is now less buggier, up to 1.5 times faster at loading Java…

OPINION: Still searching for reasons to switch to Google Chrome

switching-to-google-chrome.jpg

Yesterday – and this is not a joke about how sad my life is, it’s the honest-to-Betsy truth – I decided to make the switch and start using Google Chrome as my default browser.

I’d decided the night before, in fact. I was, sadly, really quite excited about the prospect of turning over a new leaf or, to update the phrase, starting a new session. Doing a fresh install of my life and switching from Firefox to Chrome.

I like Chrome. It works, it’s already imported…

WHY OH WHY OH WHY would anyone put a Firefox theme on Google Chrome?

firefox-skin-for-google-chrome.jpg

Imagine. Imagine you have already achieved all there is to achieve. Done everything. Seen everything. Been everywhere and put your winkie into every possible orifice known to man, and a few only known to the more attractive animal species (I’m looking at you, you sexy zebra).

What’s left? What one task is the very last task a man should do before dying?

Google Chrome uses old security-lax version of WebKit, may come to Android

google_chrome.png

Google Chrome‘s launch has been marred by an embarrassing security vulnerability, thanks to Google using an outdated version of WebKit which could be used by hackers to run malicious code directly in Windows without the user knowing.

It’s highly likely that Google will issue a patch for the problem very shortly, by updating the version of WebKit just as Apple did for its Safari browser. However, it’s not a great start for a browser that has been touted for its security features…

Google launching Chrome web browser beta for Windows

google_chrome.png

Thanks to some over-exuberant staff at Google, the cat’s out of the bag a bit earlier than planned on its new project: Chrome.

From tomorrow, Google will launch a beta version of its new web browser, which it no doubts hope will challenge the dominance of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, and take chunks out of Firefox’s increasing popularity.

A Windows version will be available in 100 countries (presumably the UK will be one of them), and should be “streamlined and simple”. Features include separating each tab into its own “sandbox” to minimise the risk of web applications crashing the whole browser and provide better protection from malicious code, and a powerful “V8” JavaScript engine to “power the next generation of web applications that aren’t even possible in today’s browsers”…