Google Chrome 13.0.782.218: The Switch from Beta to Final is Complete

Google finally released a stable version 13.0.782.218 of its web browser chrome for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome Frame yesterday. It finally made the switch from beta to full version with an impressive 5,200 improvements and bug fixes, among them included 13 crucial security fixes. Notable fixes included cross-origin script injection and cross-origin violation in base URI handling. The upgrade also includes an updated version of the Adobe Flash Player.

The final version of Google’s Chrome 13 was released yesterday. The stable version features all the key present in the beta versions, including a working version of Multiple Profile switcher, experimental new tab page and tab grouping, the most exciting one, is that the Chrome 13 will actually hide its URL bar, which was actually an idea of Google a few months ago. As with the previous version of Chrome, it has continued to set the barrier for the entire browser field. 

Ever since the pre-release builds of Chrome 13 were released, its key features stud out from previous versions.The browser navigation toolbar can be completely hidden, leaving only the tab bar, menu button, and content area. The forward and back buttons are moved into the tab bar, placing them in the top-left corner of the window. To access the URL textbox, the user has to click a browser tab. This will cause a floating navigation bar interface with a URL textbox and refresh button to drop down from the tab. The floating bar will remain on the screen as long as the textbox is active, but it will slide back up and disappear after a few seconds when the textbox doesn't have focus and the cursor is out of range.

This new streamlined navigation bar has obviously posed certain phishing risks, because it doesn't make the domain and SSL status of the current site easily visible to users. It's important to remember, however, that it's still at an early stage of development is only being made available as an option rather than a default. The latest release, which includes some vital security fixes, has ensured that Chrome 13 is more secure than ever. 

Google has been working on the experimental new tab page for a while and it looks like things have finally begun to take shape with Google Chrome 13. When you enable the feature from about:flags, you will see a new tab page which now lists most visited sites and apps in tabs. It also has additional tabs but they don’t have any content. The new tab feature could allow users to create customizable tabs where they can list out different apps, however, there is no option to customize them right now. Google Chrome 13 also has an option to hide the toolbar which can be done by right click on a tab an selecting "Hide the toolbar" from the menu options. Using this option hides the Omnibox and extension icons. You will need to visit the about:flags page and enable the "Compact Navigation" feature to get this option.

The latest version also features an option to enable the Web Audio API and an option to allow "Background Apps" to continue running even when Chrome is shut down. Background Apps are Google Chrome Apps which provide users with functionality that quietly runs in the background without intrusion. Background Apps could be apps that regularly check your email or Twitter account and notify you of new updates. The new feature in Google Chrome 13 will allow apps to continue running. Google Chrome 13 also features a working version of the profile switcher which allows users to use different profiles for different Chrome windows. This will allow users to work with different profiles without having to keep logging in and out. Google Chrome 13 also has the latest Flash player, Version 10.3.181.14.

In addition, the option to restrict Google Instant to only searches has proven succesful. Prior to that, Google Instant would kick in even when you load any webpage. This could get annoying and a feature to disable it is a great addition. You will have to enable this feature in about: flags too.

Chrome 13 has been all about simplifying our web experience, and that is also why the kill URL bar in this version. Besides, Google introduced a new simplified logo in March, to replace the previous 3D logo that had been used since the project's inception. Since Chrome is all about making your web experience as easy and clutter free as possible, Google refreshed the Chrome icon to better represent these sentiments. A simpler icon embodies the Chrome spirit, to make the web quicker, lighter, and easier for all.

Anyway, Chrome 13 has provided a number of key additional features, provides a better web experience for the users, and like always, Chrome 13 aims to be secure, fast, simple and stable, its strength is its application performance and processing speed, both of which were independently verified by multiple websites to be the swiftest among the major browsers of its time. Chrome 13 has become another flagship browser. With Chrome 14 fast around the corner, Google is continuing with its fast paced development.