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Google Releases New Stable Version of Chrome: Faster, Full Screen Mode, Form Autofill

Written by Frederic Lardinois / May 21, 2009 11:47 AM / 32 Comments

chrome_logo_may09.jpgToday, Google announced a major new update to its Chrome web browser that gives the application a large speed boost, as well as some new features. According to Google, Chrome now loads JavaScript-heavy pages 30% faster than the previous stable version. Some of the new features that Google announced today were already available in the last beta version, but users on the stable version will now get access to Chrome's full screen mode, form autofill, and improved new tap pages. In addition, Google says that the new stable version of Chrome contains over 300 bug-fixes.

Google Chrome is available in three versions, a stable, mainstream version, a beta version, and a cutting-edge developer version. Today's updates were already available in the beta version, but for most users who probably didn't know that the other development tracks exist, these updates represent a major step forward.

Improved New Tab Page, Autofill, Full Screen Mode

rww_on_chrome.pngSimilar to the beta version of Apple's Safari 4, Google Chrome now allows users to delete items from the new tabs page. As Google puts it, you can now finally hide those "embarrassing gossip blogs" from your Most Visited section, which automatically appears when you open a new tab in Chrome.

Chrome can now also autofill forms with information a user has previously entered into similar forms, and it finally has a full-screen mode that hides the title bar and the rest of the browser window.

Sadly, though, one neat feature that was available in the beta versions - the ability to drag tabs to see them side-by-side - did not make it into the stable version...yet.

Here at ReadWriteWeb, we are big fans of Chrome, but the lack of extensions always makes us go back to Firefox as our preferred browser. The developer version already contains some rudimentary support for adding extensions and user-scripts, but it will probably still take a while before these features will make it to the stable version of Chrome.

If you are already using the stable version of Chrome, these updates will be applied automatically, and if you are not using Chrome yet, you can download it here. Officially, Chrome is only available for Windows, but if you are a very brave Mac user, you can download an unstable and highly unpolished version of Chrome here.


Comments

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  1. Rock on Google Chrome!

    Posted by: Sakina Al-Amin | May 21, 2009 2:11 PM



  2. chrome has been my favorite since its launch

    Posted by: DrVoIP | May 21, 2009 2:20 PM



  3. That's great. But, when are we going to see a Mac version?

    Posted by: Chris Mullins | May 21, 2009 2:58 PM



  4. We're deperate for a Mac and/or Linux version Google!

    Posted by: Drew | May 21, 2009 3:57 PM



  5. I really would like a Mac version of chrome, maybe it would be even better than the Windows one.
    But still, I can't just live without these Firefox add-ons.

    Posted by: MacStories | May 21, 2009 4:24 PM



  6. Google Chrome really rocks!!

    Posted by: UFC 98 Live Stream | May 21, 2009 7:26 PM



  7. I think its relevant and interesting for you to know:
    Google Chrome, Google Gears and Google Pack are not available for download in Iran, and if we try to browse code.google.com we see a "403 Forbidden" page with "Forbidden
    Your client does not have permission to get URL / from this server. " error!

    Posted by: Hamid Reza | May 21, 2009 9:10 PM



  8. I love Google Chrome for its simplicity and speed. Great new features to have, especially the delete items from new tabs page feature because it is indeed embarrassing when people sees gossip blogs from your most visited section.

    Posted by: free virtual world for kids | May 21, 2009 9:14 PM



  9. I love all my Googlede with any case throw an incredible power and very fast morning I would wake up out of bed I'm lying in bed google google evening are not separated, a binary =):)

    Posted by: Dans | May 22, 2009 12:46 AM



  10. now it's time to shine Google Chrome! Goodbye Internet explorer and Mozilla Firefox. :)

     Posted by: vinxstudio Author Profile Page | May 22, 2009 12:59 AM



  11. And still no AdBlock plugin. Boooooooo, Gooooogle!

    Posted by: Hank | May 22, 2009 2:58 AM



  12. I like it so far, especially the form autofill. Google contnues to make changes with a purpose.

    Posted by: Magnetic Cash Gifting | May 22, 2009 5:27 AM



  13. have you seen how having your new tab experience should look like with http://www.newtabking.com? Google, you probably have a little more to learn

    --shelly

    Posted by: shelly | May 22, 2009 7:02 AM



  14. I have been a strong google supporter for some years now, every time they come out with a new toy I have to give it a try.

    Posted by: 16 Channel DVRs | May 22, 2009 9:04 AM



  15. It would be good if Chrome got more popular. A faster JS render engine will help the whole internet move forward technologically. And, make it that much easier for developers to create more robust and user friendly interfaces.

    Rock on Google!

    Posted by: Dean Posted on FriendFeed   | May 23, 2009 10:07 AM



  16. Flotate.com is very javascript heavy site (with javascript animations as well) and is a great example of what is possible if chrome were to become everyone's main browser.

    The difference in how the site runs on Chrome vs. Firefox is very significant. Something like this site could be the future of what the web if chrome were to take over.

    http://flotate.com

    -Ryan

    Posted by: Ryan Moriarty | May 26, 2009 12:40 PM



  17. I love Chrome

    Posted by: Jay | June 27, 2009 11:07 AM



  18. I am waiting for the Google wave now. It is going to change the social netwrokingjust like how chrome did for browsers

    Posted by: Sarah | June 27, 2009 11:08 AM



  19. Will people ever stop pushing version numbers on the web!
    http://www.hiphopalemi.net/Sohbet.asp

    Posted by: hiphop | June 27, 2009 1:15 PM



  20. I Absolutely LOVE the new chrome. It's LIGHTNING fast, much faster than the even new Firefox 3.5 :)

    Posted by: MMO | July 5, 2009 12:14 AM



  21. It would be good if Chrome got more popular. A faster JS render engine will help the whole internet move forward technologically. And, make it that much easier for developers to create more robust and user friendly interfaces.
    http://yarismak.com

    Posted by: yarismak | July 24, 2009 9:16 AM



  22. Does Chrome even have a Print Preview?

    Posted by: Derek D | August 13, 2009 8:16 AM



  23. thank you very good

    Posted by: hiphop | August 31, 2009 12:51 PM



  24. really stable but firefox is easier inchirieri auto

     Posted by: Rent Author Profile Page | September 20, 2009 4:50 AM



  25. Google Chrome was my favorite browser SIMPLY because it had that home tab page and had the top 9 sites arranged very neatly. Now the newest version looks VERY tacky and takes away from the functionality. Why Google would do this, I will never know. Now everything you love about Google products (simplicity, efficiency, etc) is being replaced by flashy tackiness and visual bulk (aka themes). To say I"m disappointed is an understatement. I might have to uninstall this software all together.


    Posted by: chanel Author Profile Page | September 21, 2009 12:30 AM



  26. Google Chrome is my favorite :)

    Posted by: rentcar | September 28, 2009 6:47 AM



  27. I dont like google chrome. For me always the mozilla. My favorite browser.

    Posted by: Araba Oyunları | September 28, 2009 3:25 PM



  28. I also vote for google chrome ;)

    Posted by: jucarii | October 31, 2009 11:42 PM



  29. Well, it seems like another blog, but while though i have gone through it, i found it with huge interesting topics and all that. This seems like very informative and i' love to recommend everyone as this blog giving a huge interest to everyone need. I do love this blog and hopefully i would be in touch with it as it becomes my favorite one. lol..Thanks!

    Posted by: hamxa007 Author Profile Page | December 5, 2009 2:02 AM



  30. I love Google Chrome. Thanks for the great article.

    Posted by: Eiffel Tower | December 18, 2009 5:32 PM



  31. hello baby

    onayla onayla onaylamayan ibne:)

    Posted by: indir | December 24, 2009 1:13 AM



  32. Google Chrome is my favorite :)

    Posted by: ehliyet sınav soruları | December 27, 2009 2:07 PM



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