Google Chrome update boasts better speed, safety

Search king Google upgraded this week the speed and security features of its Chrome browser, where it said complex Web applications can now run more quickly and responsively. In a blog post, Google said the latest stable release of its browser's version 10 boasts of a 66-percent improvement in Javascript performance, using its V8 benchmark. "With today’s stable release, even your most complex web apps will run more quickly and responsively in the browser. (For the curious, this boost corresponds to a 66% improvement in JavaScript performance on the V8 benchmark suite.)," it said. Google said users can expect a safer browsing experience, as it extended its sandboxing technology to the integrated Flash Player in Chrome. Authors of malware have targeted Flash due to its widespread use in several websites. Most of the malware had been noted to affect computers running Microsoft Windows. "So if you’re using Windows Vista or newer versions, you’ll benefit from the additional layer of protection against malicious webpages," it said. Google also said it has simplified further its settings interface, allowing users to type in the name of the setting instead of poring through menus. A search box in the options menu allows users to type the settings. "We realize that speed isn’t just about pure brawn in the browser—it’s also about saving time with simple interfaces. Chrome’s new settings interface will help you get to the right settings quickly so you don’t have to dig endlessly to find a way to import your bookmarks or change your browser’s homepage," it said. Google also said users who save passwords in the browser can quickly log on to websites they frequent, even on different computers. This can be done by synchronizing the passwords from a Chrome browser on one computer to a Chrome browser on another, by entering one's Google account credentials. "You can also encrypt those passwords with your own secret passphrase for extra security," it said. Passwords are the latest items that can be synchronized in Chrome, after bookmarks, extensions, preferences, and themes. "We hope that Chrome’s speed, simplicity and security will continue to make your daily life on the web more enjoyable," it said. — TJD, GMA News