Google Chrome update: Speed, performance and a deeper push into browser 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 APIs, App Cache, web 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.