Chrome adds Native Client technology

Google has released Chrome 4.0.220.1 into its developer channel (a.k.a. the Dev channel). In addition to a number of fixes, the latest Dev release of the web browser adds Google's open source Native Client technology for running x86 native code in web applications. Previously support was only available via a plug-in for Firefox and required some rather complex set-up.

Native clients run substantially faster than JavaScript or Flash applications. They must, however, run in a secure environment known as a "sandbox" which protects the underlying system from any possible damage. Details about the Native Client architecture are provided in a research paper from Google and SDKs are available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Additionally, the 4.0.220.1 release includes better extension support, APIs and a proper extensions menu. Users can now access the extensions manager in the "wrench" menu in order to disable, un-install or reload their extensions. As this is a Dev channel release, use in production environments and on mission critical machines is not advised.

More details about the release are available in a post by Engineering Program Manager Jonathan Conradt on the Google Chrome Releases Blog and in the SVN log of revisions. Chrome 4.0.220.1 is available to download for Windows, Mac and Linux (32-bit and 64-bit). Users that currently have a Chrome Dev channel release installed can update using the built-in update function by clicking 'Tools', selecting 'About Google Chrome' and clicking the 'Update' button.

See also:

• Google launches Chrome Frame for IE, a report from The H.
• Chrome adds new defence for cross-site scripting attacks, a report from The H.
• Google begins launch of Chrome Extensions, a report from The H.

(crve)