Google offers cutting-edge Chrome builds
Published: 17 Sep 2008 08:43 BST
Through a new developer programme, Google is letting users try the latest versions of its Chrome web browser. The first update is now available.
Those who want the newest Chrome versions can install the Google Chrome Channel Chooser software from Google's Chrome 'Dev channel' site. The switcher lets people choose whether they want the latest cutting-edge Chrome builds or the less frequent, but more stable, beta versions.
"Google Chrome now provides a way for people to get early-access releases automatically: the Dev channel," wrote Chrome programme manager Mark Larson, in a Chrome mailing list posting late on Monday night.
"The Dev channel lets you test the latest fixes and get access to new features as they're being developed. We will release new builds to the Dev channel about every week so that you can preview — and provide feedback on — what's coming in Google Chrome," wrote Larson.
The first update available through the programme, build 1251, is geared more towards programmers and willing guinea pigs than those who merely are curious.
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Build 1251 fixes bugs with areas including Microsoft's Silverlight software, tab behaviour, video playback with YouTube and other Flash players, and scalable vector graphics, and it suppresses full-text indexing of sites accessed with encrypted web connections, according to the release notes.
Build 1251 also enables two switches that can be set when the software boots, letting users activate two developmental features: new technology for networking and for managing Chrome windows.
How to update
After running the Google Chrome Channel Chooser software, users can find if there's a new version by clicking the wrench icon in the upper-right corner of the Chrome screen, then selecting "About Google Chrome". If a new version is available, users can update there, then restart to enable the changes.
Chrome is an open-source project, meaning that Google may draw on other work from Firefox, WebKit and Microsoft, and that others may help Google. Judging by a couple of credits in the release notes, outsiders are starting to submit patches.
Such submissions require programmers to extend copyright to Google, which means Google can have its way with the Chrome code — for example, changing the open-source licence under which it's offered.
Credit: Google offers cutting-edge Chrome, first update from CNET News
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