With the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, guys at Neowin have managed to benchmark the latest version of IE10, which is Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5, running in both desktop and Metro modes.

What’s the difference between IE10 Metro and Desktop? IE Metro (aka Immersive web browser) uses the 64 bit libraries by default.

Tested browsers

Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) PP5
Google Chrome 17
Firefox 10
Opera 11.60

Benchmark results

With all the privacy and tracking talks going on, it looks like Google will finally be joining the ranks of other web browsers who support Do Not Track feature.

Introduced years ago, Do Not Track allows users to opt out of tracking by advertising, social and other web sites that enjoy such data.

However, it’s not coming anytime soon, according to the report, Google Chrome is likely to introduce Do Not Track feature by the end of this year, which is 8-10 months away.

Susan Wojcicki, Google’s senior vice president said, “This agreement will not solve all the privacy issues users face on the Web today. However, it represents a meaningful step forward in privacy controls for users. We look forward to making this happen.”

Google Chrome 17.0.963.46 Stable

Following the release of Google Chrome for Android, the search giant has pushed a long awaited updated to the Stable Channel, tagged as version 17.

As reported earlier, the following build introduces a couple of new features that will improve the overall browsing experience.

Google Chrome 17 Changelog

First of all, it will pre-load the web sites that you are likely to visit when typing them in the URL bar before even hitting the Enter button.

Finally, am improved feature from the Google Chrome 12 will protect you from the malicious downloads with a simple notification.

However, those are not the only changes, Google Chrome 17 also includes a new Extensions APIs and about 20 security bug fixes.

Download

Google Chrome 17 Final (Stable)

That delicious Ice Cream Sandwich.

As it was just a matter of time anyway, Google has finally launched the Beta version of Google Chrome for Android, which is currently compatible with the 4.0 version only.

So what does it bring to the table?

Well, just like with its competitors, you can synchronize your tabs and bookmarks between your PC and a handheld device, but it also includes few features that are not yet widely available.

First of all, you can swipe between the opened tabs just like a deck of cards, which, depending on the number of opened tabs, can be quite useful.

Secondly, incognito mode has made its way to the Android version as well, providing an extra layer of privacy for those in need.

Least but not last is a superb feature called Link Preview. As you might know, clicking on small links can be quite painful, especially in the winter period when you are wearing gloves and can’t be bothered to take them off. Thankfully, Link Preview will automatically zoom in the links, making them easier to click on.

Google Chrome for Android 4.0 also includes search suggestions that can be personalized, omnibox and few other goodies.

Das ist gut.

BSI (Bundesamt fuer Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik), Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security, which has a habit of issuing software recommendations, has picked Google Chrome as the most secure web browser.

Complimenting various Chrome’s features, such as: silent update (which also updates Adobe Flash Player), BSI officials also stated that other web browsers are behind in this area, “This sandbox protection is implemented most consistently in Chrome…and similar mechanisms in other browsers are currently either weaker or non-existent”

Google Chrome on the other hand was “particularly honored” after such recommendation and were happy that their efforts for secure web browsing experience were recognized by such institution.

[Thanks, Blake Sening]

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).