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)

[Thanks, Ichann]

At least it’s not a malware.

You know that time when you’ve slept with a gorgeous woman only in the morning to find out that she is actually a man? Neither do I.

Anyway, upon trying the Maxthon 3.3.4.2000 Final, which has recently been released, there was a suspicious checkbox that, for the entertainment purposes alone, I’ve left unchanged; it said something along the lines of:

Kingsoft PC Doctor

As it turns out, it immediately installed already mentioned “Kingsoft PC Doctor” software, which should make my dual core CPU perform like an octocore monster.

While I have no issues bundling plugins like Adobe Flash or PDF Reader, as they are arguably essential for a full Internet experience, this is something beyond that. According to Maxthon, they have “added the recommendation of Kingsoft PC Doctor software for installation as there’s a cooperation between Maxthon and Kingsoft.”

Strangely enough, few weeks ago I have received an offer to include some sort of toolbar to our FavBackup software, which I pretty much ignored. There are things that are more important than the money.

Sure, it’s optional and yes, you can uninstall it, but hey, if you want your users to respect you, you’d better start respecting them as well.

What do you think?

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.

For a complete list of features, see the following post.

Download

Google Chrome Beta for Android.

[Thanks, Blake Sening]

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]

[Via ComputerWorld]

Brand Thunder, a free theme creator for various web browsers, has announced an acquisition of its competitor’s, BrowserNation, Firefox clients, according to a press report.

Although no pricing details were revealed, it looks like their brand client base that currently sits at 200 will be boosted by 25% or 50.

What are some of the new brands? EMI, UMG Latin, Epic Records and more. “The growth complements Brand Thunder’s core business by building upon its European and Asian presence and creates a foothold in the burgeoning Latino markets of Central and South America”, said the company.

If you are not familiar with the BT’s business model, company’s revenue comes from the searches their users make, as simple as that, just like any other web browser’s.

Available for Windows and Mac.

In a world of bleak new web browsers, here is something slightly different: a web browser that focuses on a full screen experience.

Initially launched back in 2004, Sleipnir appears to be quite popular among Japanese, or at least was, according to few reports it had 6% market share in 2006 and 9% in 2008.

In addition to that, it’s included in the browser ballot screen and even works with Windows 98.

Speaking of the web browser itself, Sleipnir 3 users can switch between IE’s and Firefox’s rendering engines, use mouse gestures, synchronize data, enjoy HTML5, etc. Features that are pretty much expected in today’s web browsers.

However, as we said, it focuses on a full screen experience and as you can see from the screenshot below, it’s pretty sweet.

By combining the address bar, navigation panel, mouse gestures and minimized thumbnails, Sleipnir 3 feels more like an app instead of a Windows or Mac OS application. Whether or not those features are enough to make you switch, it’s up to you.

And in case you are using Windows Phone, Android or iOS, there is a mobile version as well.

If you are curious enough to try Sleipnir, here is a link to full presentation and download links below.

PDF Presentation

Download
Sleipnir 3 for Windows and Mac

Windows 8 Beta Candidate Build 8220.

With the upcoming Windows 8 Beta release (set for February), a leak from PCBeta has revealed some of the interesting features and changes.

Now, we won’t go too deeply into the Windows 8 itself, which no longer has the start menu orb and now includes a Ribbon like Windows Explorer, but looking at the screenshots below, you can see at least one new Internet Explorer 10 feature, which is:

When viewing the “About” window, IE10 now has an option to enable/disable auto updates.

Overall, it looks like the UI is yet to be updated for the desktop version of Internet Explorer 10.

[Via: PCBeta]

Back in 2011, we’ve posted an article called “Alternative Windows Phone 7 Web Browsers? We Need Them“, where I complained about the lack of web page compression in the mobile version of Internet Explorer.

Well, I went a step further and sent few emails to Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, suggesting him to add Opera Turbo like feature for the upcoming IE10. He replied something along the lines of “Thanks, I’ll think about that”.

Turns out, Windows Phone 8 version of the Internet Explorer will in fact feature web page compression technology. According to a few recently leaked details (some of them were just confirmed by Microsoft insider), the software giant will use proxy servers that are set to reduce the web pages site by as much as 30%.

Nokia Lumia 900

And if you are wondering what else is coming, check the following list:

Windows Phone 8 Features

• Support for dual cores
• Support for four different resolutions, though no specifics were given
• NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines
• Carrier control and branding of “wallet” element is possible via SIM or phone hardware
• MicroSD support added for expandable storage
• Transitions to core components from desktop, including kernel, network stack, security components and media support
• Simplified porting of desktop apps to mobile
• Zune desktop integration scrapped in favor of new, unnamed syncing app
• Deeper Skydrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections
• Xbox Companion app will get Windows 8 partner client
• Native code support, simplified porting from Android and iOS
• App-to-app communication and integration
• Skype client with deep OS hooks that will make it almost identical to placing standard voice calls
• Camera app now supports “lenses” which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
• DataSmart tracks and reports usage via app and live tile
• Gives preferential treatment to WiFi, can automatically connect to carrier-owned hotspots
• Proxy server will compress websites in Internet Explorer 10 up to 30 percent
• Native Bitlocker encryption
• Support for proprietary, custom built apps to be deployed behind company firewalls

Now, obviously I had nothing to do with such feature integration, but hey, it doesn’t hut to think that way.

[Via: Engadget, PocketNow]

Back in 2011, we reported that Microsoft will ditch plugins support from its Immersive Internet Explorer browser in favor of the HTML5.

Now, software giant reports that when the touch friendly version of IE detects some sort of plugin, Flash for example, it will offer them a one click option to switch to the desktop version of IE10.

How exactly will this happen? See the screenshot below

According to Program Manager, John Hrvatin, “This mechanism provides a short-term mitigation. The desktop browsing experience and most plug-ins were not designed for smaller screens, battery constraints, and no mouse. Providing an easy way to the Windows desktop is the last resort when no comparable plug-in free fallback content exists.”

It’s February already as we look at the January’s browsers marker share numbers. As it turns out, there were few substantial differences for major vendors.

For the first time since eternity, Internet Explorer has actually increased its share from 47.76% to 48.16% (0.4 point jump). Is IE cool again?

Continuing its steady downtrend, Firefox has now less than 20% of the market share as it dropped from 20.09% to 18.97% (1.12 point decrease).

Just as we thought that Google Chrome will continue to grow forever and ever, its market share has deceased for the very first time ever, down from 17.58% to 17.20% (0.38 point decrease). Such change deserves this:

With all the iPhones and iPads sold that include Safari, Apple’s web browser user base grew by 0.6 point, up from 8.67% to 9.27%.

After few shaky months and market share increase last time, Opera’s user base grew by 0.01 point, up from 1.66% to 1.67%.

What about Opera’s mobile web browser? Actually, Opera Mini is doing quite well, this time its share increased by 0.1 point, up from 1.89% to 1.98%.

That is all for today, folks.