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Chrome ad-blocker shows up in experimental Android browser
Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Google would soon include built-in ad blocking in Chrome for both mobile and desktop. While the feature hasn't been officially revealed yet, we're starting to see hints that it might be real. Some people running Chrome Canary on Android (a special build of Google's browser that's both experimental and unstable) are noticing an ad-blocking option in the settings menu.
Chrome for Android makes video smoother, less power-hungry
Google set the stage for the latest Chrome for Android update by revealing that a billion hours of video are now viewed per week on the browser, much of it on mobile. The Android team consequently focused on video for release 52, saying it's now "smoother, loads faster and consumes less battery." A video (below) shows load times that are five times faster, a trick that will save a bit of power and time. If you use the browser's Data Saver mode, you'll also get lightweight, more compressed video (much like T-Mobile's "Binge On" mode), in case your plan is close to the limit.
Chrome beta for Android can beam presentations to Chromecast
Whether it be on the desktop or mobile, Chrome's beta browser is a handy way to preview features before they hit the mainstream crowd. In the most recent release for Android, there's now the ability for sites to send presentations to Chromecast devices -- something developers can implement using Google's corresponding API and SDK.
Chrome for Android updated with tab history on slates, fullscreen for handsets
Google's like the gift that keeps on giving. Following earlier news of a Drive for Android update, the team from Mountain View today rolled out a new version of its Chrome browser for mobile devices. This update brings the same features we saw a little over a month ago in the Beta channel, however Google's now deemed them ready for prime time. That (along with some undisclosed under-the-hood enhancements) includes the pseudo-fullscreen mode that's triggered by scrolling the page and, for tablets, the ability to view the tab history by way of the browser back button. For those who decided to skip the experimental version, you'll find the app in its stable form up for download at the Google Play link below. Update: Google is back with additional news about its mobile Chrome browser, this time for the iOS version. In the coming days, iPhone and iPad users will find a new version of Chrome that allows users to submit voice queries into the Omnibox. The addition will mimic the functionality of Google Search for iOS, which accepts queries such as "How many miles from San Antonio to Dallas?" and "What's the weather in Rome?" Likewise, the update will introduce the ability to open links in Chrome from other iOS apps, along with quicker reloading of webpages from the browser cache. Hop the break for a quick peek.
Motorola launching first devices with Chrome for Android pre-installed
While company executives on both side of the divide have spoken of "firewalls" between Google and Motorola, there's clearly some perks to being a wholly owned subsidiary. The handset maker has announced that it'll be the first to ship smartphones with Mountain View's Chrome for Android pre-installed. We're expecting to see it front and center on the Droid RAZR M next week and the RAZR HD and RAZR Maxx HD later this year.
Google Chrome for Android comes out of beta, hits Play today
Sick of hearing about Google yet? Perhaps you're not. The search giant has unleashed one final bit, quietly announcing that Chrome for Android has finally emerged from its beta stage as a stable release. Version 18.0.1025123 has officially arrived in Google Play and is available for download now for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich. Updates from the beta appear to be modest, and include some minor user interface tweaks, along with stability and performance fixes -- the big news here is the official nod from Mountain View. If you've been holding out for a final release, the time has come to hit up Play -- get where you need to go by clicking through to our source link below.
Google Chrome 19 Stable arrives, shares live tabs across your computers and phones (video)
Google first teased live tab syncing in Chrome 19 beta, and it's now available for all of us who tread the safer path of Stable releases. If you weren't living on the bleeding edge for long enough to try the syncing early, you'll be glad to know that it lets you see and quickly sync all the tabs that are open on any device signed into your Google account. That includes your phone or tablet, if you've got Android 4.0 and the Chrome for Android beta loaded up. Like with the beta, though, you'll have to cool your jets if you were hoping to get live syncing right away: Chrome 19 Stable is pushing automatically over the next few days, but tab syncing will take weeks to be ready for everybody.
Google updates Chrome for Android with added language support, home screen bookmarks
It's still only available for Ice Cream Sandwich, but those not bound by an older OS can now download a fairly significant update to Google's Chrome for Android web browser. In addition to some added language support and broader availability, it brings with it the ability to select desktop versions of websites, save bookmarks to your home screen as a shortcut, and download files to your device, plus options to choose which apps handle certain links. As before, it remains a beta, and it's tailored to suit both Android smartphones and tablets.
Chrome for Android updates: recognizes app links, boosts speed
Google slipped a bit of an upgrade into the Android Market today. The mobile version of Chrome received a seemingly minor version bump and, much to our chagrin, left no changelog behind for us to peruse. Most of the tweaks are under the hood and, in our unscientific testing, pages appeared to load much faster and the interface was more responsive. Our immediate impressions were backed up by benchmarks -- the updated version of Chrome scored a 1,846.8 on SunSpider. The most welcome addition, though, was the ability to recognize links associated with applications. For example, the initial release never offered us the opportunity to open search results in the Google Maps app, it went straight to the mobile site. That quirk hasn't been fixed completely, as YouTube vids still stream inline with no immediately apparent option to launch them in the app. Still, it's nice to see Google improving integration with the OS and working towards making Chrome an acceptable replacement for the default browser.Update: Some of you out there are reporting that the upgrade has broken the browser for rooted devices and custom ROMs. While that limitation doesn't appear to be affecting our Nexus, we've gotten enough response to believe this is a legitimate issue. So, update at your own peril.Update 2: Alas, a changelog is here! You'll find it at the more coverage link. One new feature we missed was support for Android Beam, but, with no other Nexuses around, we haven't been able to test it.
Chrome Beta for Android hands-on (video)
So, Google is finally making the move we've been expecting for some time now and bringing Chrome to Android. Now, you'll need a device running Ice Cream Sandwich to get the new mobile browser up and running but, thankfully, we happened to have a Galaxy Nexus on hand. As you might expect, mobile Chrome (much like its desktop sibling) is fast -- a little buggy perhaps, but fast. It isn't, however, the fastest browser for the platform. Chrome Beta holds its own, but the standard Android browser, the stable version of Firefox and Dolphin HD all edged it out in SunSpider. Numbers don't tell the whole story though, so head on past the break for more.
