Google’s Chrome team has had a busy week. First was the release of the Android-based Chrome browser and now they’ve updated their desktop version to make it better than before. Version 17 is now available in the stable channel and enables faster browsing by pre-rendering the most likely to visit web page.

As for security, Chrome now protects a user from downloading malicious files. The downloaded file including executable like *.exe and *.msi goes through a list of whitelist and if it doesn’t match, Chrome will check the host website to see if they circulate malicious files.

[Via Chrome Blog]

Google’s Chrome web browser has been finally launched for the Android OS. The Chrome for Android adopts the same speed and simplicity you’d find on the PC web but is designed to be more intuitive and user friendly for mobile devices.

There’s sync support, omnibox and card-style tabs that makes it navigating through the tabs easier.

Chrome for Android is currently available in limited number of countries and requires Android 4.0.

Android Market

Angry birds is one of the highest selling games on mobile devices and now the pig slaying birds have expanded their territory to the world’s largest platform – web. Although launched for Chrome browser, users can play the game in other modern browsers by pointing to http://chrome.angrybirds.com

In addition to the regular 63 levels, the web version also comes with 7 exclusive Chrome-inspired levels.

Chrome users can download the app right now from the web store.

Web Store

Google has released a stable version of its Chrome browser. Version 10 that was in beta for couple of weeks has been released for masses featuring some nifty additions. Although Chrome has obvious speed improvements under the hood, it is the interface that makes the update special.

Chrome has got a new settings interface that now opens as tab and shows off the URL of the page for quicker and easier sharing. The settings page has also got a search bar to quickly search through settings.

Another improvement is the sandboxing technique. Chrome now sandboxs Adobe’s Flash Player to enhance security and thwart any kind of malware expected from Flash.

Existing Chrome users will be updated to the latest version whereas consumers waiting to try out Google’s browser can download from the link below.

Google Chrome

There’s not much to see here if you use beta builds of Chrome browser but if using the software without the beta tag is what you prefer, Google has released a stable build of Chrome 9.

The new build concentrates on three features — WebGL that brings hardware-accelerated 3D graphics; Chrome Instant which is nothing but Google Instant; and Chrome Web Store to download various apps, extensions etc.

You can download the latest version by visiting http://google.com/chrome or if you use Chrome, the browser should automatically update itself.

At a press conference yesterday, Google announced couple of news related to Chrome. The first being the Chrome Web Store. It’s an app store for your browser with all the web apps, extensions and themes. The Chrome Web Store is now available to consumers and though Google claims the store is online only in the United States, I can visit (from India) and download apps from the Web Store.

Another exciting announcement was about the Chrome OS. Google has confirmed that first Chrome OS notebooks will be available from the first half of 2011. There are no details on the notebooks but Acer and Samsung will be the first manufacturers to roll out the Chrome OS-enabled devices.

However, for consumers who can’t wait to try out the OS, Google has announced a pilot program wherein they’ll give a Chrome OS notebook to pilot users. Google will provide Cr-48 notebook to selected users that features a 12.1-inch screen, full-size keyboard, trackpad, 3G from Verizon, Wi-Fi and battery life of up to 8 hours.

Chrome OS Pilot Program

[Via Chrome Blog]

Google’s Chrome browser has come a long way since its launch in 2008. Not only it has a faster startup, it also boasts an improved JavaScript engine, multi-process browser tabs and simplistic UI.

Now to commemorate its 2 years in browser business, Google has released a stable version of Chrome. It is three times faster than previous Chrome builds, features improved user interface, built-in sync and more.

You can download the new version here or current Chrome users can update it via their browser.

[Via Chromeblog]

Google has announced two new products that will enhance functionality of your Android phone. First is the Voice Actions and as you’d expect is a voice app for Android. Voice Actions executes everything with voice commands, which includes emailing, calling, finding directions, playing music, browse the web and more.

Though the concept is not new, going by the introductory video, Voice Actions does seem to be accurate.

Second is Chrome to Phone, which is a simple yet effective bookmarking app. The application can send text, links, YouTube video and even navigation instructions straight from your Chrome browser to the Android phone. Good thing about is its tight integration with the OS. All map directions get added directly to the Maps app, numbers in dialer app and so on.

Both the apps are currently available in the Android Market but works only with Froyo running devices.

Google Voice Actions
Chrome to Phone

Google has confirmed the launch date of its Chrome operating system. They’ve pushed back the launch of Chrome OS to late fall, which means it could launch sometime in November or December. Google says they want to improve the overall user experience and give Microsoft Windows, a run for its money. Windows currently holds about 90 percent of the operating system market share.

“We will be selective on how we come to market because we want to deliver a great user experience. We’re thinking on both the hardware and software levels,” said Sundar Pichai Google’s head of the Chrome project.

[Via Reuters]

Google recently tested Chrome’s speed with some unusual objects like potatoes. Now Opera’s parody blog has decided to take its own Potato test, in a fun way obviously. Check out the video below but if you’re the serious types who wants cold facts about the browser, Opera today released its monthly mobile web report that claims more than 2.6m people use Opera Mini on iPhone and making the Apple device third most used Opera Mini device globally.

Additionally, Opera Mini now has 58.9m users with the countries like Russia, Indonesia, India, China, Ukraine, United States, South Africa, Nigeria, Vietnam and the United Kingdom using the browser extensively.

[Via OddEven]