14 DAY TRIAL // The first Google Chrome 8 beta is now on its way with the latest dev channel release. Google Chrome 8.0.552.11 dev will become the Chrome 8 beta and eventually the Chrome 8 stable release. The release would be on time according to the new six weeks development cycle for major versions.
Since it's paving the way towards the beta release, Chrome 8.0.552.11 dev, which replaces Chrome 8.0.552.5 dev, focuses on bug fixes and stability issues.
There will probably be at least another build for the dev channel and then the next one will be the first beta, unless the dev build proves stable enough to be labeled as a beta.
Those following the dev channel will have to endure a couple of weeks or more of falling behind the main development branch until the beta is out the door at which time the dev channel builds should be re-synced with Chromium.
The most cutting edge version of Chrome is Chromium 8.0.562.0 at the time of writing.
The first Google Chrome 7 stable release was made available just a couple of days ago, which means that the Chrome 8 stable build should be landing in six weeks.
The Chrome 7 beta was released on September 30 so it should be at least a couple of weeks, possibly three, before the Chrome 8 beta is released.
If you're looking for a more bleeding edge version but aren't comfortable running the Chromium builds, you can check out the Google Chrome Canary Builds, the most up-to-date 'official' Chrome release which follows the Chromium releases more closely than the dev channel.
Despite the short development cycle, Chrome 8 promises to be a worthwhile release with a large number of new features and improvements. You can check out a run-down of what to expect in Chrome 8 here.
The Chrome Web Store should be coming very soon now, Google planned for an October launch. It's unclear though if it will be made available in Google Chrome 7 stable, which does have all the necessary underpinnings for web apps, or only in the upcoming Google Chrome 8 beta and subsequent stable release
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.