Google Returns Chrome To Beta, Touts Speed Boost

CWmike writes "Google yesterday reversed its decision to ditch the beta label from its Chrome browser, saying it is restoring the moniker to some builds to get faster feedback to developers. 'Since we took the 'beta' tag off Google Chrome in December, we've been updating two release channels: developer and stable,' said Brian Rakowski, a Chrome product manager, in a new blog Google kicked off on Tuesday. 'With our latest release, we're re-introducing the beta channel for some early feedback.' The first beta, Chrome 2.0.169.1, includes several new features, said Rakowski, and it boasts a significant speed increase over the current stable version of the browser, 1.0.154.48. According to Google's tests, the beta is 35% faster than the stable build when measured by the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark suite, and 25% faster on the company's own V8 tests."

Reader Al notes too that "Google has launched Chrome Experiments, a site where Javascript coders can upload projects that make use of Chrome's speed and processing abilities. The site already features a handful of cool 'experiments' including a balls that jump between browser windows, a gravitationally-challenged version of the Google homepage and a game that runs through nine different browsers. It's cool stuff alright, but some experts wonder whether browser security might be a more important thing to focus on."

Who asked for this?

[Anonymous Coward]

Who wanted really fast JavaScript?

Re:No Linux Release != Evil

[SultanCemil]

I'm just saying, on a scale of 0 to 100 (0 being kittens rolling around, 100 being Vader running hell), not releasing Chrome for Linux is somewhere around 70. That's all. Fell free to disagree. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Re:Who asked for this?

[Rayban]

Yeah... I hate seeing anyone use a language with closures and prototype-based-objects for more than form validation and yellow backgrounds for results.

We should go back to static HTML pages and get it right this time!

Re:No Linux Release != Evil

[xant]

Kittens are a zero? Man, kittens can *kill* you. I almost choked on one once.

Re:Hilarious that speed is key evaluation

[Braino420]

I'm guessing you don't use some pretty heavy duty JavaScript sites?

*shudder*

Re:No Linux Release != Evil

[__aamnbm3774]

4% market share, but 99% awesome.

Re:No Linux Release != Evil

[Crayon Kid]

GP meant it as in various shades of evil. That "kitties rolling around" is actually "rolling around in a frying pan".