Google Chrome goes 4.0, adds extensions, bookmark sync and squashes bugs

Google has finally rolled out Chrome version 4.0 (4.0.249.78 to be exact) and it brings with it a whole raft of new features.

The first of these new features is extensions which are used to augment the functionality offered by the browser. There are currently some 1,500 on offer, ranging from extensions that allow you to make more use of Google's own services (such as Google Mail Checker and Google Translate) to things you wouldn't expect Google to be pushing to users, such as AdBlock.

These extensions are similar to those for the Firefox browser, so it's clear who this feature is aimed at. Crome is on the offensive and looking to pick up floating Firefox users.

Also new is bookmark sync. Basically the idea is simple. You enable Bookmark sync and you log in to your Google Account. Your bookmarks are then stored online and sent to any Chrome browser on which you enable sync and log into the Google account. Simple enough.

Note: Extensions and bookmark sync are only available for Windows user at present. Linux users will need to download the beta channel build, while Mac users have to resort to a developer build.

I should also mention the performance boost to JavaScript processing of around 40%. Not much, but enough to keep Chrome at the top of the leaderboard in my tests.

Then there are the security fixes, 13 in all, including six rated as a high threat.

All in all, a strong update.