Google Chrome beta logo

Google Chrome beta

By Google Free Editors' Rating

Key Details of Google Chrome beta

  • Preview upcoming features in development and contribute to pushing Web browsing technology boundaries
  • Last updated on 03/05/21
  • There have been 11 updates within the past 6 months
  • The current version has 0 flags on VirusTotal badge_icon
  • Also available on Android and Mac

This is a beta build of Google Chrome, and may include features that introduce instability to the browser. Use with caution.

Editors' Review

eddietheecho Oct 10, 2013

Google Chrome is the lightweight flagship browser that originated from an open-source Google project called Chromium. It is now one of the more widely used browsers, with a vast ecosystem of extensions and add-ons, a robust JavaScript engine, and a rapid-release development cycle that keeps it competitive.

Pros

Minimal UI: Chrome's overall UI has remained stable since version 1.0: a minimal two-row window with tabs resting above the address bar (Omnibox), three browser controls (Back, Forward, Stop/Reload), a star-shaped toggle for bookmarking, and a settings icon. As you install extensions, active icons appear to the right of the address bar; but beyond that, Google has strict restrictions on adding visible add-ons. That means no toolbars or any undesired overlays, which used to be standard practice. Chrome is minimal for a reason: to maintain a clean browsing experience with maximum screen space for websites. A new Immersive mode hides UI elements to create a full-screen experience without distractions.

Incognito mode: Incognito is Chrome's response to Mozilla's Private Browsing feature. Incognito opens a new window that disables history recording and tracking cookies, and reduces the amount of traceable breadcrumbs. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean you are free to act unethically, as your ISP still tracks your activity. Chrome version 36 improves upon Incognito mode's design, which features cleaner pop-up notifications and alerts when the browser encounters a crash.

Dev tools: Under the hood, Chrome has some awesome features that make it developer friendly: hardware acceleration for rendering 3D CSS effects; Google's own NaCl (Native Client), which allows secure execution of C and C++ codes within the browser; and an in-house JavaScript engine that improves load times with every release. The Inspect Element tool lays out a website's Document Object Model intuitively for those who want to understand how a site's objects are interacting in HTML and CSS.

Cons

Internet Explorer: If you run an older computer, you may have to use Internet Explorer's insecure browser to get Chrome. Try not to stay in those waters for too long.

Bottom Line

Google has regularly set the standard for speed, stability, and security, so it's no surprise that Chrome's market share continues to rise, especially when combined with its mobile cousin on Android. Google's Internet browser is for casual user and developer alike.

Note: Review updated 7/18/2014.

Full Specifications

What's new in version 89.0.4389.72

Under-the-hood performance and stability tweaks.

General

Release March 5, 2021
Date Added March 5, 2021
Version 89.0.4389.72

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
Additional Requirements None

Popularity

Total Downloads 967,223
Downloads Last Week 29
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User Reviews

3.9/5
117 User Votes
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Developer's Description

Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the Web faster, safer, and easier. Use one box for everything--type in the address bar and get suggestions for both search and Web pages. Thumbnails of your top sites let you access your favorite pages instantly with lightning speed from any new tab. Desktop shortcuts allow you to launch your favorite Web apps straight from your desktop.

Google Chrome beta is in the Web Browsers category of the Browsers section.

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