14 DAY TRIAL // Now that the Google Chrome 16 Beta is out, dev channel users are in for a treat as they've been upgraded to the brand new Google Chrome 17. Of course, the same dev channel users know that this is not much to cheer about, apart perhaps the fact that they'll finally start seeing new features come in, after the pre-beta release lull.
Google Chrome 17.0.928.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux has now been made available. Google Chrome Frame users have also received the same update.
There are several new things in the latest version, compared to the previous Google Chrome 16, the V8 JavaScript engine has been updated to V8 3.6.6.3, a rather symmetrical version number, also known as a palindrome, a word or number which can be read the same in both directions.
There is now a prompt asking users if they are sure they want to cancel downloads started during Incognito Mode, if the last such window is closed. The same happens for any downloads when closing Chrome completely.
Panels are now finally enabled by default, but they can be used only by extensions. Panels are small windows which pop out to house small apps that need to be accessible all the time, but which don't really need their own tab, chat apps, music players and so on.
In fact, the new YouTube app for Google+ could live very well inside a Panel.
Print Preview, which was recently introduced, now supports adjustable margins. Mouse lock permissions settings are now stored per domain.
On Linux, the new Chrome 17 release, fixes the multi user selection bubble menu when using a custom theme.
With Google Chrome 15 now in the stable channel, Google Chrome 16 in the beta and Google Chrome 17 finally in the dev channel, development can continue as usual at Chrome for the next six weeks or so, before the version numbers get upgraded again.
Google Chrome for Windows is available for download here.
Google Chrome for Linux is available for download here.
Google Chrome for Mac is available for download here.