NeoGAF

Andrex · 03:03 PM

Stable: 27 · Beta: 28 · Dev: 29

Speed is the reason for Google Chrome's very existence. Google was very disappointed and frustrated with the current state of browsers in 2007 and 2008. This came about as work on HTML5 started heating up and heavier web apps started appearing, however performance of these JavaScript-heavy apps was pretty abysmal. Because of this, Google set off to make its own browser, thumb its nose at other browsers with performance tests, and hopefully push the standards for performance higher for everyone.

To accomplish this, Google had a team work for over two years to create V8, the JavaScript engine that lives at the heart of Chrome and has consistently delivered tests leading the pack, or close to it. Many new Chrome users usually express how surprised they are with just how fast Chrome is. It's not marketing speak, Chrome really is that fast.

And don't think Google is resting on its laurels when it comes to performance, either. Every new version moves the needle forward at least slightly, and more often than not there are tangible speed increases when a new version comes out. In fact, in December 2010, Google released the Crankshaft update for V8, which optimized V8 even further and delivered a whopping 50% performance increase in Google's tests. It's safe to say that even though computers are getting more powerful all the time, Google will never stop trying to make Chrome faster.

V8 has also proven very popular even outside of Chrome, and currently powers the Node.js project.

Speed also applies to the update schedule. A full new version, with new features, every six weeks. That's a month and a half. Chrome currently has the fastest version-to-version schedule, although this methodology has also recently been adopted by Mozilla. Making new versions available so quickly is acting in the spirit of the web, where web pages are also iterated on often. It also keeps Google on its toes and keeps it working on or creating new features all the time.

At the heart of Chrome is the drive to be simpler. Since its release in late 2008, Chrome has been a key driver in getting other browsers to simplify their user interfaces. Have you taken a look at Firefox or Internet Explorer lately? That was Chrome.

Simplicity goes beyond the interface, however. Chrome is still the only major browser with a silent automatic updater, which delivers security updates, bug fixes, feature updates, and more to all Chrome users without any prompting whatsoever. When you use Chrome, you're always using the latest version. This has been a major boon to web developers in particular, who no longer have to worry about different versions which support different things. And of course, users definitely benefit as well. It's a win-win for everyone.

Security is Chrome's third core tenet, completing the trifecta. Because Chrome is younger than the other major browsers (by around 10 years, give or take), Google was able to take a hard look at the state of the web and made some important decisions about Chrome's security from the get-go.

Key among these is Chrome's sandbox. Created before "sandbox" was a worthless buzzword, Chrome's sandbox makes sure the operating system and browser itself are protected from web pages by limiting what they can access. Additionally, every (or almost every) tab (and extension, and app) in Chrome spawns its own process (or thread) in the host operating system. Chrome newbies usually ask about this (with various degrees of annoyance tinging their words), but the fact is that it's completely normal behavior. Chrome is fast, right? It feels fast even with all those processes running. So don't worry about it! Things will be just fine.

Finally, as mentioned before, the automatic updater ensures all users can be delivered security fixes as they come. Zero-day exploits are thankfully almost a thing of the past.

Web apps are a huge focus of Google Chrome, which aims to bring the web to parity with modern desktop and smartphone operating systems. There's still a lot of work to be done, but Chrome is at the forefront of integrating exciting new web technologies. (Seriously, it's a very long laundry list that includes HTML5, CSS3, new JavaScript APIs and syntax changes, WebRTC, WebM, WebGL, WebSockets, Web Intents, Native Client, Dart, and so much more.)

The Chrome Web Store is where you can find and install Chrome apps, extensions, and themes. Apps can be free or paid, or free with in-app payments. Chrome apps can live on the bleeding edge and provide experiences that push the very fabric of the web forward, or be simple and more traditional.

Web apps specifically designed for Chrome come in two flavors, both available through the Chrome Web Store: hosted apps and packaged apps. Both kinds add big, beautiful icons for each app on Chrome's new tab page, which is quickly becoming very similar to the "desktop" or "start menu" metaphor on traditional operating systems.

Hosted apps are what you often seen derided as "just bookmarks," as they link to a live website. However hosted apps are still important Chrome apps because they're optimized and tested for Chrome and have elevated privileges. For instance, an app that uses Geolocation will always have to ask to track your location if it's not installed, but if you install it, Chrome knows you trust the app and won't ask for your permission every time. Combined with offline support through AppCache and the File APIs, hosted apps are a strong, cross-browser choice for Chrome app authors.

Packaged apps on the other hands are more similar to traditional apps on smartphones. They are contained in a single file that houses all the resources needed for the app, including all HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc. Packaged apps can more closely integrate with Chrome through the Chrome extension API, and are granted offline abilities by default (since everything the app should need is included with it.)

As mentioned, the Chrome Web Store can also host extensions (and themes.) These augment the abilities of Chrome in numerous small ways that just make your life easier. There are four types of extensions:

Page actions add small icons inside Chrome's Omnibox to the left of the bookmark star. They only appear on pages which they can interact with.

Browser actions add icon badges to the right of the Omnibox before Chrome's menu wrench. These extensions usually display notifications or otherwise function across all web pages (compared to page actions.)

Context menus are a relatively new type of extension that add options to when you right click.

Content scripts are similar to Greasemonkey scripts and are injected on specific pages.

Because of both Chrome's and NeoGAF's popularity, there have been several Chrome extensions created that augment this forum with extra features. These include:

NeoGAF Live Thread by D4Danger, which automatically appends new replies to threads without refreshing.

NeoGAF User Highlighter by Zombie James, which color-codes your own posts, making them easier to spot.

NeoGAF Keyboard Shortcuts by josephdebono, which adds a set of keyboard shortcuts ideal for power users.

My own set of extensions, among which add smilies back, add a quick reply form to threads, and ping you with a desktop notification when you receive a new private message.

Brannon · (09-02-2010, 08:17 PM)

ON IT.

SimleuqiR · (09-02-2010, 08:18 PM)

<3

Thanks!

Siebzehn50 · (09-02-2010, 08:18 PM)

Nice! The best browser just got a little better.

Operations · (09-02-2010, 08:19 PM)

Does the Ad block extension truly block ads now or does it simply keep on hiding them?

Blu_LED · (09-02-2010, 08:19 PM)

Is it not out for Mac or something? Went to About Google Chrome and it says I have the latest version (5.0).

The Lamonster · (09-02-2010, 08:20 PM)

Downloaded it for my work PC today, and noticed it looked different but I thought it was just because this is XP :lol

Lucius86 · (09-02-2010, 08:20 PM)

Updated, thanks for the heads up!

JonStark · (09-02-2010, 08:20 PM)

I used to be a firefow guy. But now I' m starting to think I'll go Chrome...

Is there such a thing as WOT and smooth scrolling for chrome ?

Is it that better than firefox ?

Fjolle · (09-02-2010, 08:21 PM)

I'm running chrome 7 :P

enzo_gt · (09-02-2010, 08:21 PM)

Minor differences it seems? The tabs just got bigger it seems, which appears to be counter intuitive since the whole point of Chrome was to have as much webpage viewing space as possible.

Awesome bar keeps me using Firefox because it destroys what Chrome has but if I need anything specific quick I'll use Chrome for the speed.

JBuccCP · (09-02-2010, 08:22 PM)

Definitely looks a bit slicker now.

alr1ght · (09-02-2010, 08:22 PM)

it broke my bookmarks tweak (button in bar). I need that as I'm not a fan of the bookmarks bar. A firefox like search engine would be nice too (I know that the address bar is a search, but i like FF's implementation).

Lucius86 · (09-02-2010, 08:22 PM)

OP, you pic previews are the same for the old & new version.

Dynamite Ringo Matsuri · (09-02-2010, 08:22 PM)

Oh hell yeaaaa.. Procrastination just got a whole lot better.

ChoklitReign · (09-02-2010, 08:24 PM)

Holy fucking crap it's fast. I was back to Firefox as my main browser but this might change my mind.

freshair · (09-02-2010, 08:29 PM)

did they add a warning box yet for the osx version for when you accidentally apple+q instead of apple+w :(

zoku88 · (09-02-2010, 08:30 PM)

Did they fix that problem where a page with a lot of images would not load correctly?

jamieson87 · (09-02-2010, 08:31 PM)

I want that theme in the OP.

unomas · (09-02-2010, 08:33 PM)

Been hooked on Chrome after switching from firefox which I used for years, just can't beat the speed of it.

BeeDog · (09-02-2010, 08:33 PM)

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is there any extension for Chrome that adds RSS feeds in an intuitive and integrated way (e.g. a sidepane)? It's the only reason I'm still using Firefox (too used to the "Brief" extension), and I'd love to have something similar in Chrome, since I'm sick of the memory hogging Firefox does.

Anastacio · (09-02-2010, 08:38 PM)

Thanks OP!
I got an important question here, is it possible to minimize the tabs, so that only the websites' logos are shown on the tab like before?

Jeels · (09-02-2010, 08:39 PM)

Nice, I have much more space now to view web pages, and the new UI looks much cleaner!

kaskade · (09-02-2010, 08:40 PM)

This is awesome. Thanks for the birthday gift google.

Opus Angelorum · (09-02-2010, 08:41 PM)

Originally Posted by Anastacio:

Thanks OP!
I got an important question here, is it possible to minimize the tabs, so that only the websites' logos are shown on the tab like before?

Pinning Tabs, yes.

Jim · (09-02-2010, 08:42 PM)

Originally Posted by Anastacio:

Thanks OP!
I got an important question here, is it possible to minimize the tabs, so that only the websites' logos are shown on the tab like before?

"Pin tab" with a Right Click? Yeah.

Been my preferred browser for 2 years now.

Vox-Pop · (09-02-2010, 08:42 PM)

I hope the new version is more stable. Currently Chrome is sluggish on my mac.

Razorskin · (09-02-2010, 08:43 PM)

Does Chrome have a webmail notifier like extension?

Harry_Tequila · (09-02-2010, 08:44 PM)

Originally Posted by Anastacio:

Thanks OP!
I got an important question here, is it possible to minimize the tabs, so that only the websites' logos are shown on the tab like before?

Right clicking on the tab and selecting Pin Tab seems to do it.

Andrex · (09-02-2010, 08:45 PM)

Originally Posted by Razorskin:

Does Chrome have a webmail notifier like extension?

Google Mail Checker, by Google

teiresias · (09-02-2010, 08:46 PM)

My Chrome isn't showing an update being available on my Mac.

jamesinclair · (09-02-2010, 08:46 PM)

How does chrome compare to firefox in memory usage?

zoku88 · (09-02-2010, 08:46 PM)

Originally Posted by zoku88:

Did they fix that problem where a page with a lot of images would not load correctly?

If anyone else was curious, it seems like the answer is "no

Originally Posted by jamesinclair:

How does chrome compare to firefox in memory usage?

Depends on the number of tabs.

Lower y axis intercept but the slope is steeper.

curls · (09-02-2010, 08:48 PM)

Originally Posted by Vox-Pop:

I hope the new version is more stable. Currently Chrome is sluggish on my mac.

Yeah, chrome is not very good at displaying animated .gif files for some reason.

alr1ght · (09-02-2010, 08:48 PM)

is there any way I can get to the task manager via a button on the main browser page?

Andrex · (09-02-2010, 08:49 PM)

Just updated. :D Love the darker blue title bar (would be transparent if I wasn't on my netbook with 7 Starter and no Aero right now) and gray UI, less distracting for sure. And love how they got rid of the ugly bars around the extension badges. Just set up extension and autofill sync, will do it again when I get home. :D

Vox-Pop · (09-02-2010, 08:50 PM)

Originally Posted by curls:

Yeah, chrome is not very good at displaying animated .gif files for some reason.

or large pics.

I'm getting a prompt telling me that I don't have permission to upgrade. :/

Opus Angelorum · (09-02-2010, 08:51 PM)

Originally Posted by alr1ghtstart:

is there any way I can get to the task manager via a button on the main browser page?

Surely Shift + Esc isn't too much work?

r4z4 · 09:01 PM

Only thing stopping me from jumping to Chrome is the fact that I cant auto-delete history on exit on Mac. Windows users can use an extension which does that though.

Edit: Wow this is lightning quick! And it looks super slick.

curls · (09-02-2010, 08:52 PM)

Originally Posted by Vox-Pop:

or large pics.

I'm getting a prompt telling me that I don't have permission to upgrade. :/

Go into finder and trash the old chrome app.

The UI looks a lot better btw. :)

Harry_Tequila · (09-02-2010, 08:57 PM)

I swear, not two weeks ago I was saying to someone that it was ridiculous that http:// was still visible in modern browsers. I should have posted it to myself in an envelope or something. :lol

layzie1989 · (09-02-2010, 09:00 PM)

Very, very nice, google...

alr1ght · (09-02-2010, 09:01 PM)

Originally Posted by curls:

Yeah, chrome is not very good at displaying animated .gif files for some reason.

same. some are okay, but the larger ones play very slowly.

Vox-Pop · (09-02-2010, 09:02 PM)

Originally Posted by curls:

Go into finder and trash the old chrome app.

The UI looks a lot better btw. :)

Thanks, it works now. :)

Lamel · (09-02-2010, 09:03 PM)

Woo! looks awesome and is FAST.

btkadams · (09-02-2010, 09:07 PM)

how the hell is there already a 6? lol didnt the first chrome browser just come out a couple years ago??

rezuth · (09-02-2010, 09:08 PM)

I like Chrome but the GUI is almost offensive. (Yes I have gotten spoiled by my iPhone and OS X)

U2NUMB · (09-02-2010, 09:11 PM)

Thanks for the heads up on the new version. So far so good...

teiresias · (09-02-2010, 09:12 PM)

Originally Posted by rezuth:

I like Chrome but the GUI is almost offensive. (Yes I have gotten spoiled by my iPhone and OS X)

No, you've gotten used to your iPhone and OSX. Personally, I find the iPhone UI somewhat offensive at this point (and I owned an original 2G iPhone) and like OSX, but I don't find Chrome highly unwelcome in the OSX environment. It doesn't stand out to me as being bad, there's practically no UI at all for crying out loud.

Andrex · (09-02-2010, 09:14 PM)

Originally Posted by Harry_Tequila:

I swear, not two weeks ago I was saying to someone that it was ridiculous that http:// was still visible in modern browsers. I should have posted it to myself in an envelope or something. :lol

Google took it out of the dev builds longer ago than that. :) I think there was a small outcry in June.