There’s a new release of Google’s browser, Chrome that is doing the rounds; which has a set of new features including support for Greasemonkey (Yeay!). There’s still some way to go before it has all the features I’d need to make it my mainstream browser (I’m just too comfortable in Firefox), but considering the last drop was four months ago, I’m pretty impressed at how quick the product is shaping up. Google must be putting some muscle behind it.
So, what’s new? There’s all the details on the release notes, but the highlights are:
- New version of Webkit
- Form Autocomplete
- Full-page zoom
- Spell checking improvements
- Autoscroll
- Docking dragged tabs
- Import bookmarks from Google bookmarks
- SafeBrowsing
- Browser Profiles
- New Javascript engine
- New network code and window frames
- Experimental script support
- HTTPS only mode
Some cool stuff there and some of those features will take it further up the technology scale than most browsers out there.
So, how do you get your hands on it? Here are the steps:
- If you don’t have Google Chrome, install it from google.com/chrome
- Subscribe to the developer preview channel. This is required even if you’ve previously subscribed to the channel.
- Wait until the new version is downloaded (you may force the updatie by opening the “About Google Chrome” dialog).
Note that the developer preview channel will expose you to code that may not be fully tested, but you can always switch back to a safer channel if you wish. It’s nice to see the experience of choosing which stream you want to join made so easy. Anyway, I’ve installed it, and am off to play 😉
I’m going to have to give Chrome another try. I used it a few times when it was first released, but like you said, I’m way too comfortable with Firefox.
It’s good to get the scoop from someone who knows….I’m always afraid to mess with my browser. I have 2 computers and one has firefox and the other internet explorer. I love firefox–
i don’t know if i would switch. i like firefox a lot.
I don’t see Chrome doing any core things that are different from what other browsers provide. It isn’t enough to be just another option when people have a product the are already comfortable with and not really unhappy with.
i like using chrome but for some reason i am always taken to an error page every time i try to leave a comment in blogger blogs. what’s with that? doesn’t google own blogger too? strange
I think, for now, I’m happy as is with Firefox. The amount of addons available just can’t be beat. Thanks for the update though!
Thanks as always for keeping us updated Owen! I haven’t downloaded Chrome (just a little leery of the power Google seems to have), but who knows maybe I’ll break down one of these days and test out Chrome and Chrome 2.