The Chrome blog has announced that version 43.0.2357.38 of the browser is being released to the beta channel on the Play Store. This update introduces the usual panoply of bug fixes and performance improvements — which seem to be quite effective this time around — along with a new feature. When purchasing an item, the process of filling checkout forms should be more streamlined and secure thanks to data from Google Wallet.

Another visual change has been implemented in this version as well. Previously, when you had your Chrome tabs merged with Recents, the status bar would take the header color specified by the site (for example, it's blue on Android Police, orange on APK Mirror), but other sites would keep a black bar. Now these will show a grey status bar, a sign of transparency being implemented equally for all websites. (Edit: this article previously referenced transparency, but as pointed out by readers, the bar isn't transparent. It's a solid and opaque grey color that completely overlays the top of the screen.) But keep in mind that this will only be visible if you have Recents and Chrome tabs merged.

Some readers have also mentioned seeing more Material animation goodies sprinkled inside, like when switching to the Reader mode or when the keyboard fades.

The update should be live in the Play Store already, but we all know Google likes to release these in batches so we've got you covered on APK Mirror.

UPDATE: 2015/04/25 3:55am PDT BY

Audio and Video playback changes

Chrome 43 beta also introduced some changes and new features when you play audio and video inside the browser. First, there's a new notification that shows up when audio is playing but it doesn't appear to do anything beside throw you back to the tab that it's originated from. Next, when you're playing a video and want to switch to fullscreen, a new permission asks you to allow it or exit the mode.

And finally, when playing videos in YouTube, the playback bar shows a mute button next to the fullscreen one only when you're in Chrome 43 Beta — it doesn't appear on previous Chrome versions like 42 Beta pictured below for comparison.

Left: Chrome 42 Beta. Right: Chrome 43 Beta. Volume as a notification and next to the fullscreen toggle — if you could see it now.

Download

File name: com.chrome.beta-43.0.2357.38-2357038-minAPI14.apk

Version: 43.0.2357.38 (2357038)

MD5: 640bc4f623284680dcf06ef53041edb2

Chrome Beta Developer: Google LLC
Price: Free
4.4
Download

Source: Chrome Releases Blog

Thanks: Philip, Shoumma Shams, Shaun