14 DAY TRIAL // Google is getting ready to release the stable version of Google Chrome 12, but it's not quite done yet and has pushed another update to the beta channel.
Google Chrome 12.0.742.77 Beta fixes several small issues and should be very close to the version that gets pushed to the stable channel. Chrome OS R12 is also very close to hitting the stable phase.
On the other side of the release spectrum, Chromium 14 builds are already available, as Chrome 13 dev is getting ready to enter the beta stage.
As it stands, official Google Chrome and Chromium builds span four major versions, something not that uncommon in Chrome development.
"The Chrome Beta channel has been updated to 12.0.742.77 for all platforms. This release contains a small number of UI updates and performance fixes," Google Chrome's Jason Kersey announced.
At this late stage, Google is putting the finishing touches and polishing the last remaining rough edges, so don't expect to notice much changes between updates.
The Chrome OS Beta channel has been updated to R12 release 0.12.433.90 including Chrome 12.0.742.75 Beta. The release includes bug fixes: File Manager fixes; Change network connecting animation; Crash and stability fixes; Update Flash plugin to 10.2.159.1," Josafat Garcia, working on Chrome OS, wrote.
Interestingly enough, Chrome OS is still using the older Flash Plugin 10.2 rather than the updated version. It may have to do with optimizations specific to the platform.
In the meantime, Chromium 14 builds are now available for download. If you've been using Chrome 13 already, there shouldn't be too many surprises.
There's one new feature in testing, available via about:flags, Preload Instant Search which, as the name implies, preloads the default search engine even before you start typing your query, as soon as you click in the Omnibox for a faster response.