Between the Lines

Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel King

Google Chrome update: Speed, performance and a deeper push into browser computing

By | May 4, 2010, 10:46am PDT

Summary: Google boasts speed and performance improvements in an update of the Google Chrome browser but new features push deeper into browser-based computing.

A new beta version of the Google Chrome browser released today is boasting some pretty impressive speed boosts, with improvements of 30 percent and 35 percent on the V8 and SunSpider benchmarks over the previous version.  In a post on the Google Chrome blog, the company said Chrome’s performance has improved by as much as 213 percent and 305 percent on the two benchmarks since the browser’s first beta.

But it’s not just the speed and performance that the company is bragging about. The new betas - which are available for download for PC, Mac and Linux - includes new feature, such as browser setting synchronization that allows users to “sign-in” and keep their themes, homepage and startup preferences in sync with other computers.

The sync feature, though sort of hidden in the browser’s drop-down menus, is an important feature because it takes us - and Google - one step closer toward a browser-based computing experience, such as the one that Google is building with its Chrome OS. In addition, Chrome extensions can now be installed and used in the browser’s incognito mode.

It also includes “the goodness of some new HTML5 features, namely Geolocation APIsApp Cacheweb sockets, and file drag-and-drop capabilities.” Finally, the browser also has support for Adobe’s Flash Player plug-in. Google explains:

…this is the first Chrome beta that features initial integration of the Adobe Flash Player plug-in with Chrome, so that you can browse a rich, dynamic web with added security and stability — you’ll automatically receive security and feature updates for Flash Player with Chrome’s auto-update mechanism.

For those who really want to get into the details of the new version, the company has also posted a YouTube video.

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Topics

Sam has been a technology and business blogger for more than 18 years.

Disclosure

Sam Diaz

Sam Diaz has nothing to disclose.

Biography

Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger, reporter and editor at ZDNet, the Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News and Fresno Bee for more than 18 years. He's a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a graduate of California State University, Fresno.

Talkback Most Recent of 10 Talkback(s)

Talkback - Tell Us What You Think

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources