As the search giant has recently released the Beta version of Google Chrome 17, it’s no wonder that the 18th version is already available as the Dev build.

Tagged as 18.0.1003.1, Google Chrome 18 Alpha is mostly bug fixes so far. Excluding those, there are also few minor improvements worth noting.

From now on, Google Chrome will reject weak RSA and DSA keys when validating certificate chains for HTTPS and do a better job at error handing in audio wave out.

Although this is just the first of many v18 builds that are yet to come, judging by the size of changelog, it looks like Google is gearing up for quite a release.

Google Chrome 18 Alpha (Dev) Changelog

• Updated V8 – 3.8.4.1
• Fixed several crashes
• When a profile is synced, use GAIA name + GAIA photo for avatar – Use Google OAuth userinfo API to get profile information
• Added support for manifest_version attribute for extensions
• Eliminate drawing glitch on WebUI radio controls
• Fixed regression with extension omnibox API where whitespace would get trimmed
• Fix page zoom for plug-in documents
• Fix race condition in extension service that causes extensions installed
• Folders in the wrench menu and application menu are greyed out
• Better error handling in audio wave out
• Made URL filter for web request API mandatory
• Reject weak RSA and DSA keys when validating certificate chains for HTTPS; related UI

In an effort to “boost” employees productivity around the globe, a group of programmers have decided to port a popular Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator (MAME) into Google Chrome and thanks to that, you can now play pretty much all the classics directly from your web browser.

While you might encounter some compatibility issues with few games, the majority of them should work fine and if you need any ideas, just head over to the MAME’s web site for some nostalgic moments.

In case you are not keen on testing them, Google Chrome Store already includes the ones that are compatible, for example: Robby Roto.

With the release of Google Chrome 17 Beta, we go hands on to see the latest and greatest new features and other improvements.

As this is our first try, expect the quality of videos to improve over the weeks to come. This time: two new features that we could not test :)

Feel free to provide us with a feedback and any tips you might have.

Now with sites pre-loading and safe browsing.

A new Google Chrome release has recently hit the streets, which can now be downloaded from the official page as version 17 (Beta).

Including various tweaks and bug fixes, Google Chrome 17 also brings two new features that will benefit both hardcore and new users.

Announced last year, a pre-load feature is now enabled by default and will load your sites before you even hit the enter button when typing URL in your address bar.

In addition to that, Google Chrome 17 will protect the everyday users by informing them on possibly malicious files that they are trying to download. This is an expanded functionality feature introduced with the Chrome 12 release.

With the Firefox 10, Opera 12 and Internet Explorer 10 releases just around the corner, guys from TomsHardware have decided to test the latest stable builds of the top 5 web browsers on both Windows 7 and Mac OS X Lion.

How did your favorite web browser perform? Let’s find out.

Tested versions

Internet Explorer 9
Firefox 9
Google Chrome 16
Opera 11.60
Safari 5.1.2
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Startup Time Performance Benchmarks

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of the month again when we look at the market share results for the last month. How your favorite browser did finish the 2011 race? Let’s find out.

Already broken through the 50% barrier, Internet Explorer share continues the downtrend, this time it has decreased by 1.19 point, from 48.95% to 47.76%.

It looks like more releases did not really help Mozilla as Firefox is going in the same direction as IE, down from 20.58% to 20.09% (0.49 point decrease).

With every month passing by, Google Chrome is gearing towards the #2 spot in the market and has now increased its share by 0.68 point, up from 16.90% to 17.58%.

Thanks to Apple device sales, the happy days continue for the Safari web browser as its share has grown from 8.35% to 8.67% (0.32 point increase).

Despite overall downtrend, Opera has managed to rebound some of its losses and is now up by 0.11 point, all the way from 1.55% to 1.66%.

Opera Mini on the other hand has been doing well for quite some time and saw a generous 0.36 point increase, up from 1.53% to 1.89%.

That’s all for now, folks. What are your predictions for 2012?

Google funded study confirms.

Accuvant, the US based research, firm has published a new study, which compared security features of the three most popular web browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox.

As it turns out, the search giant funded study has made a conclusion that Google Chrome is the most secure browser out there, followed by Internet Explorer and Firefox.

After such claims, Mozilla has decided to respond with the following statement:

“Firefox includes a broad array of technologies to eliminate or reduce security threats, from platform level features like address space randomization to internal systems like our layout frame poisoning system. Sandboxing is a useful addition to that toolbox that we are investigating, but no technology is a silver bullet. We invest in security throughout the development process with internal and external code reviews, constant testing and analysis of running code, and rapid response to security issues when they emerge. We’re proud of our reputation on security, and it remains a central priority for Firefox.”

So here you have it folks. Despite continuous IE bashing in various communities, it still managed to beat Firefox in a non-biased study.

What do you think?

With just one month left before the end of 2011, it’s time to check the latest stats for the browsers market share.

Falling below 50% last time, Internet Explorer is now down from 49.58% to 48.95% (0.63 point decrease).

Despite regaining some of its market share on October, Firefox is nearing towards 20% level, down from 21.20% to 20.58% (0.62 point decrease).

Soon to cross paths with Firefox, Google Chrome continues its dominant uptrend, up from 16.59% to 16.90% (0.31 point increase).

Gaining market share for many months, this time Safari has lost some of it, climbing down from 8.54% to 8.35% (0.19 point decrease).

Just like Firefox, it looks like Opera is stuck in the never ending downtrend as its share has also decreased from 1.49% to 1.45% (0.04 point decrease).

With the growing popularity of HTML5 games and applications, it looks like Google has a vision of its own.

According to the EDGE, during the Develop Liverpool conference in London, Google’s developer Paul Kinlan has announced that Google Chrome will receive gamepad support tin the first quarter of 2012. In addition to that, it will feature a support for cameras and microphones that don’t have to be plugged in.

While not many details were revealed, it is known that the search giant is already working on the next instance of its Google TV service, with the hardware set to debut sometime next year.

Why add gamepad support anyway? If our speculation stands correct (and only time will tell), we guess that Google Chrome will be an essential part of Google TV, offering its users an ability to play HTML5 games on their TV with a gamepad attached. Think about it as Google’s version of a gaming console.

In the world where most people block ads and want to get everything for free, Google has decided to try a different approach: in-browser advertising.

Technology blog Ghacks has found an interesting screenshot in the Google’s Plus group, which shows and ad in the Google Chrome web browser, which says: “Get a Chromebook for the holidays: the computer powered by Chrome.“

How did users respond? Opinions appear to be mixed; some people suggest switching to Firefox while others don’t see anything wrong with that, after all, Google Chrome is free.

Whether or not this trend continues, it remains to be seen although we don’t expect for Google to continue running such promotions more than few times a year.

What do you think about in browser advertising?

If you are not a big fan of recently introduced Facebook News Ticker feature, then here is a simple way to remove it.

Arik Fraimovich has created a Google Chrome extension which does exactly that: removes the Facebook news ticker.

Go ahead, try it.

Here come the price cuts and updates.

With the introduction of Chrome OS back in 2009, Google has unveiled the very first Chromebooks a year later.

Now, with holidays just around the corner, the search giant has decided to slash Chromebooks price by 15%. Previously sold at around $350, Samsung and Acer laptops can now be bought for as low as $299.

In addition to special deals, Google has also updated its OS, which now has a cleaner user interface and all the goodies from the Google Chrome 15 release, such as: revamped New Tab page.

As Google Chrome 16 has already reached Beta status, it’s only natural for Google to start working on the Chrome 17 release, which is now in Dev channel. Are there any changes or features worth checking out? Yes, there are.

Google Chrome 17 Alpha (Dev) Changelog

Although there are usual bug fixes and JavaScript engine updates, which now sits at version 3.7.7.0, Google Chrome 17 has also few new features and tweaks for you to try:

- When using Incognito mode, users are now prompted if they really want to cancel the download
- Panels are now enabled by default. However, they can only be used by extensions and apps. What are Google Chrome panels? Think about them as small windows that pop out when new tab is not really required.
- Adjustable margins in Print Preview

That’s all for now, folks.

Download Google Chrome 17 Alpha (Dev).

The latest Google Chrome beta supports multiple sign ins, allowing users to have their own apps, bookmarks, and settings in the browser. This is great for people who do not want to create multiple OS profiles, or for people with separate accounts for business and personal use.

Once you’ve installed the Chrome beta, you can set up multiple profiles in the options menu, under Personal Suff, by clicking “Add New User.” This automatically generates a nickname and an avatar for the user, both of which can be modified. Users can also sign into their Google accounts from the options menu to fetch Chrome settings from the cloud.

Google does not see this as a way to keep your own information secure from other users. There’s no login necessary to access the other accounts, aside from an optional Google sign in to sync with other installations of Chrome. To keep browser information secure, Google recommends maintaining separate operating system profiles instead.

This is a guest post by Mark Subel.

It’s that time of year where the ghosts and goblins come out and we get ready for Halloween night. Kids are making last minute changes to their costume and parents haven’t yet figured out what they’re wearing to the Halloween party. Whatever the case, you won’t run out of options for dressing up your browser this Halloween season. Firefox, IE and Chrome users have a wealth of options for decorating their browsers this year with several amazing Halloween themes available online. Here are our favorite Halloween themes for your browser:

Firefox

Animated Lightning Theme

This creepy theme found in the Firefox personas gallery showcases a spooky haunted house with streaks of animated lightning bolts lighting up the sky. The imagery in this theme is just amazing with a dark sky and full moon to further accentuate the Halloween theme.

Halloween Watching Hour – Animated

Another theme in the Firefox Personas gallery, this Halloween theme displays brilliant imagery of Halloween with black cats, haunted houses, bats, a full moon and cemetery. This theme is animated and you’ll see lights flickering on and off in the house, bats flying and a surprise from a spider right in your browser. We’ll let you try it out to see where the spider appears.

Hello Kitty Halloween Theme

Not all Halloween themes have to be scary. This Hello Kitty theme features your favorite characters in a beautifully designed Halloween scene with happy pumpkins, a bright orange and yellow background, and your favorite Halloween characters like bats, spiders, and witches.

Firefox and Internet Explorer

Halloween 2011 Interactive Personas

This unique Halloween theme developed by Brand Thunder, features Jack-o-Lanterns dipped in a fiery orange molten substance, black and orange background and “Trick or Treat” imagery. Perfect for Halloween lovers. Taking it a step further, this theme is “interactive”, as it provides quick links to Halloween costume websites, Halloween safety tips and a video sidebar showing the spookiest Halloween related videos.

Please note: Brand Thunder themes come with a WebSearch+ toolbar.

Google Chrome

Happy Halloween Chrome Theme

Chrome users will enjoy this “Happy Halloween” theme made specifically for them. A beautifully designed pumpkin graphic with a dark black background and “Happy Halloween” saying displayed underneath. The tabs and bookmarks tab are tinted with light and dark orange to complete this slick theme.

With redesigned tab page and other goodies.

Back in September, the search giant has released a beta version of Google Chrome 15 web browser, which introduced a redesigned “Tab Page”.

After a month of testing and bug squashing, Google Chrome 15 has been precisely polished and as of now, can be downloaded from the “Stable Builds” channel.

Thanks to a new, Maxthon like design, users can switch between the recently visited web pages and their favorite apps. In addition to that, a few customizations can be made by simply clicking on the app icon itself (as see in the screenshot below).

Ghacks readers know that the chrome://flags page leads to a list of experimental features in the Chrome browser. These features are not yet ready for prime time. Adventurous Chrome users can enable select features to change the behavior of the web browser in core areas. A big warning paragraph warns users that these “experimental features may change, break, or disappear at any time”.

Depending on your personal preferences, you may want to enable none or some of the experiments in Google Chrome. The list of available settings is large, which is why I will look at only a handful of experiments that have been added to the flags listing in recent time.

• Smooth Scrolling – Chrome users up until now had to install extensions like Smooth Scroller if they experienced scrolling issues in the Chrome web browser. With the Smooth Scrolling flag, they now can enable the feature natively.
• Lazy Background Pages – All extension background pages are loaded when the browser starts. This setting changes the default behavior so that they are loaded when needed.
• New Apps Install Bubble – When you install a new application in Chrome a new tab page is opened automatically. This can be irritating if you install many apps in the browser. This new flag changes the behavior by showing a bubble pointing at the new tab page instead.

• Enable NTP bookmark features – The new tab page in Chrome currently only lists the most visited sites and apps in its interface. This setting enables a Bookmark page on the new tab page.

• Enable syncing open tabs, syncing search engines – The two options can be used to sync both all open tabs and all custom search engines with all connected Chrome browsers.
• Enable shortcuts in the omnibox – Remembers autocomplete results and offers those the next time the same search term is typed in the Chrome address box

Chrome users find several useful experiments on the flags page that can change the behavior of the Chrome browser noticeable. Are you a Chrome user? If so, are you making use of experimental features in the web browser? (thanks Vineeth)

If you are a new Chrome user, or an old one who is now used to working with the browser in a certain way, you may be interested in tips to get the most out of the web browser. Maybe it is basic tips that can really help you improve your workflow, for instance by searching websites directly from Chrome’s address bar instead of loading a search engine’s website first to do that, or more advanced tips that involve keyboard shortcuts.

Google recently released a first party extension for the Chrome browser with the purpose of providing Chrome users with tips to use the web browser more efficiently.

The extension will display tips when it recognizes ineffective behavior, for instance if a user uses only windows and no tabs to browser multiple websites.

The core question here is obviously if those users would be able to find and install the Chrome Tips extension, and the answer is probably no.

Regardless of that oversight in design, it can be handy if you do not mind running the extension in the background while working in the browser.

The extension will display tips in a small toolbar on top. The core issue that I have with the extension is that the tips are time and action based, which means that you may never see a tip coming up if you are an advanced user.

I tested the extension for a long time and did not see a single tip come up, hence the lack of a screenshot.

If you open the constants.js file of the extension you will see all tips listed in the interface. Here are a few examples of the tips listed:

• Key for tip when user needs to be educated about switching between tabs.
• Key for tip when the user needs to be educated about pinned tab feature.
• Key for tip when user needs to be educated about browsing in private.
• Key for tip when the user needs to be educated about search from omnibox.

The extension in its current state offers 13 different tips. That’s not a lot and explains why some users may never see tips displayed in the browser. I personally would have preferred a link somewhere in the browser user interface to a static page that lists all the tips.

The idea is interesting especially since the extension can display tips whenever it recognizes ineffective user behavior. Still, a lot more tips and the option to display them directly would be handy.

Chrome users can install Chrome Tips from the official Chrome Web Store.

I also noticed a new design of the extensions listing in Chrome Dev. Not sure for how long it has been there but it looks clean and really nice.