14 DAY TRIAL // The software engineers coding hard to optimize Google’s Chrome web browser for all supported platforms have a bit of sad news to report for the Apple camp - no more Leopard compatibility starting with the latest version.
Chrome 22.0.1201.0 is out now for all supported platforms, including Mac, Windows and Linux. It’s a developer-centric release that arrives with the usual bag of fixes. The dev version currently in testing has a new framework that no longer works with older versions of Apple’s operating system.
Chrome Technical Program Manager Jason Kersey wrote in blog post this week, “Please note, on Mac we now require 10.6 or higher, and this release will not be available if you are on 10.5 or lower.”
Before you go crying in a dark corner, know that axing Leopard will clear the way for Google to throw in more manpower to optimize the browser for newer versions of the Mac OS, such as Snow Leopard, Lion, and the upcoming Mountain Lion. Consider it as a good reason to upgrade.