At the start of this week, Google pushed forward both the Stable and Beta versions of its open-source browser. Just a couple of days later it was the turn of the Google Chrome release made available through the developer channel. On October 7th, 2009, the Mountain View-based search giant updated the Dev channel to 4.0.221.6 for Windows. Concomitantly with the Windows flavor of Google Chrome, the company also kicked the Mac and Linux versions of the open-source browser to the next level, namely to Build 4.0.221.8.

According to the changelog offered by Google, Chrome 4.0.221.6 for Windows and 4.0.221.8 for Mac and Linux, brings to the table a variety of bug fixes designed to improve user experience. As far as Windows is concerned, “theme change should automatically update New Tab Page background again,” revealed Anthony Laforge, Google Chrome program manager.

However, changes appear to be more numerous for the Chrome 4.0 dev releases designed for Linux and Mac OS X. Google has also kicked up a notch browser extensions, delivering Windows-exclusive improvements. “More features for browser actions (still in progress, still Windows-only) - badges and popups,” Laforge added.

With the introduction of Google Chrome 3.0.195.25 for both the Beta and Stable channels, Google also debuted new custom themes for the browser. With a little help and inspiration from artists, architects, musicians, illustrators, filmmakers and fashion and interior designers, the Mountain View company put together a range of new content designed to let users personalize their browser. The Artist Themes for Google Chrome are live as of October 5th, and currently up for grabs for all Chrome 3.0.195.25 users. Google noted that with the Artist Themes for Chrome it was attempting to fuse art and technology, and to position the browser as a modern, technological canvas, which could be highly customized.

The latest releases of Google Chrome are available for download here.