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Google Chrome releases: What's new in every version
A central hub for all the things that have changed in Chrome
Google Chrome is probably the browser everyone is using. When it launched back in 2008, it was lauded as a super-small, resource-saving program that wasn't even feature-complete, but that has long changed. After its long and winding march to market domination, the browser received more features, grew in size, and is now known as an absolute resource hog and data collection engine.
What’s new in Chrome 125: Testing a redesigned new tab page
Chrome 125 also tests some serious improvements for tabs on Android
Google Chrome releases come to our devices every month at their incredibly fast 4-week cadence. Following hot on the heels of Chrome 124, the latest version in line is Chrome 125, which has reached its beta stage just now. There are quite some quality-of-life features Google is preparing for this release, so read on to find out everything you need to know.
Google Chrome for desktop is an evolved browser, and although all its features aren’t ported over to Android, Chrome for Android is still one of the best web browsers for the OS. The address bar at the top, or the Omnibox, and Google likes to call it, is a great way to get started browsing the web — You can enter a URL, Search query, or navigation command for Chrome settings. Now, Google is adding AI to the mix with Gemini support in the omnibox.
The EU's new default browser rules work; here's what it means for the US
Smaller web browsers in the EU are seeing a spike in users as DMA rules take affect
In the past few years, the European Union has tightened its grip on Big Tech companies to break their reign and create a better chance of competing for smaller businesses. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) that took effect on March 7 is the EU's main weapon against anti-competitive practices by trillion-dollar firms. While there was a lot of skepticism about the effectiveness of DMA at first, it turns out that the DMA rules on the web browser market are working, creating hope for smaller browsers to gain more users.
Google is launching a paid version of Chrome
Enterprise Premium users will get extra security against malware and phishing
Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers for several reasons, including its ease of use and numerous add-ons. Google appears to take security seriously, as reflected in the features that have been launched to keep users safe. However, there is only so much that can be done to deter hackers and prevent malware infections. To that extent, it can be beneficial to invest in security breach detection and management as well. Now, Google is rolling out a version of Chrome to address such concerns, specifically among business customers.
You can DuckDuckGo anywhere with a new paid VPN and privacy package
DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro costs $10 per month
DuckDuckGo is the tool of choice for people who place emphasis on privacy when searching the internet, and in 2023, the company launched its very own browser to keep more of what you do online private. The DuckDuckGo browser continues to add vital features to its apps across multiple platforms, such as cross-device syncing and backups. Continuing its recent trend of making its entire package more attractive, DuckDuckGo launched today a paid subscription package that stands on three pillars of internet protection.
What’s new in Chrome 124: Changes to local password storage
The latest Chrome release could prep a Circle-to-Search-style feature for desktop
Hot on the heels of the stable Chrome 123 release last month, Google has already moved on to its next browser version, Chrome 124. The new Chrome release may not offer a lot of instantly visible changes, but there are some interesting developments happening under the hood. Let’s dive right in.
Google is testing new Chrome settings to prevent mouse and keyboard hijacking
Malicious websites can be blocked from controlling your device via Chrome permissions
Hacking doesn’t always manifest itself in the form of a virus or malware emerging on your device. These days, there are several different ways that bad actors can tap into your sensitive information. In some instances, they can remotely work their way into your device and take control. Depending on the safeguards you have in place while connected to the internet, this can be a piece of cake for some hackers. Now, Google wants to make sure they can’t easily gain access through Chrome.
Google's family password sharing is almost ready: Here's how it works
The feature can be viewed in beta within Google’s password manager
If you’re tired of jumping through hoops to share passwords between you and your family members, Google has heard your cries of frustration. Toward the end of 2023, the company started testing a feature in Chrome Canary to simplify password sharing between Google account holders of the same household. Now, it seems that password sharing between family members is almost ready to officially launch.
Chrome's tab groups on Android may get a desktop-level upgrade
Custom colors and names are coming to Android
Regardless of which browser you regularly use, the number of tabs you have open can quickly add up in just one session. Not only can this create clutter, but it can make it challenging to go back and find information in a pinch. There are different extensions and add-ons that can address some of these issues. However, Google is working on a way to bake a solution into Chrome for Android.
Google wants to stop cookie theft once and for all
As logins become more and more secure, authentication cookies are a lucrative target for hackers
With two-factor authentication and passkeys making logins ever more secure, hackers have started to turn to the next best option to steal credentials: authentication cookies. These valuable datasets are what makes it possible for you to stay logged in on your devices for weeks and months without entering a password, but they can also be stolen and extracted, often far too easily. Google has announced that it’s working on changing that, detailing an open-source project which it hopes will become a web standard some day.
Google Chrome is a user-friendly web browser, but sometimes, your favorite websites may get blocked or stop working without explanation. Internet cookies can get corrupted, causing a website to have issues. When site permissions don't run properly, it creates problems or blocks you from viewing websites. This can happen on any Android smartphone, iOS device, or desktop computer. When corrupt cookies or site permissions block you from accessing a website on Google Chrome, there's a simple solution to fix the problem.
Google vows to delete all data collected from incognito mode
Google Chrome’s incognito mode isn’t as incognito as you’d hope it is
When you’re online, you’re virtually always leaving some traces, no matter which browser you use. That’s true even when you turn on Chrome’s or any other browser’s incognito mode. However, Google was found to be using misleading language around what incognito mode does in Chrome, and on top of that, the company has been collecting limited data despite people using incognito mode. Google has now vowed to destroy or further de-identify records in a proposed settlement.
How to close all of your Chrome tabs at once
Make sure you close them before they get out of control
Google Chrome is a popular web browser. It's easy to use and offers many helpful features. These include custom extensions for added functionality, securely storing passwords to your Google account, and managing multiple tabs for websites. Modern Android phones have plenty of onboard memory, so it's easy to open many tabs. This guide shows how to close Chrome tabs on your smartphone or desktop computer.
Chrome will now remind you about the many, many tabs you've left open on Android
A new simple feature will help you stay on top of tabs left open
If you are conscious of battery or memory consumption on your mobile device, you may try to stay on top of open apps. Depending on how often you use Chrome, you already know how quickly tabs can add up. Even if you aren’t overly concerned about memory consumption, for instance, you might just want to keep everything organized. To cut back on tabs, in particular, Google is planning to roll out a new feature for its browser.
Google Chrome is ready for the age of Arm on Windows
An Arm version of Chrome is here for all those upcoming Snapdragon X Elite machines
While Apple’s Mac machines have fully transitioned to fast and energy-efficient Arm-based processors, things are looking different for PCs. There are some Snapdragon-powered laptops out there already, but they’re still rather niche. Leading up to the hotly anticipated Snapdragon X Elite for Windows launch, Google has announced that it’s now finally launching an Arm-optimized version of Chrome for Windows, which may finally tip the scales in favor of Arm-powered Windows machines.
5 things Chrome on Android should take from the iPhone
Is Google holding Chrome on Android back? Considering these features are iPhone-exclusive, it sure seems that way
Imagine a perfect Chrome browsing experience on your Android. We’re talking smooth refreshes, effortless searches, tabs that talk to you, and gestures that flow. It turns out that iPhone users already have all of this — and more — and frankly, we want those features too. Google, it’s time to bring your iOS Chrome app to Android, and it starts with these five features.
Best VPN Chrome extensions in 2024
Make Google Chrome an unblocking powerhouse with these top VPN extensions
Google Chrome is the most widely used browser around, and that's largely thanks to its customizability. By adding the best Chrome extensions, you can surf the web your way, and anonymously by throwing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) into the mix. No need for a separate app; many VPN services have latched onto Chrome's popularity and added their own Chrome VPN extensions.
How to open the Chrome Web Store to add your favorite extensions
Learn how to open and navigate the Chrome Web Store to find and install extensions and themes that enhance your browsing experience
The Chrome Web Store has thousands of themes and extensions that add new visuals and features to your Chrome browser. Are you looking for a new Chromebook on a budget? Use an extension that finds coupon codes for the item you're shopping for. Need help writing? Use a writing assistant extension powered by the Gemini or ChatGPT large language models.
Chrome can now use Android's default password provider instead of Google's
The new setting is hidden behind a flag, but it's functional on Chrome stable
There are so many excellent browsers for Android that sticking with the default might be doing yourself a disservice. Google Chrome comes pre-installed on all phones that ship with the Play Store, but with major competitors like Firefox opening up extension support and others with anti-tracking features, people who roll with the default are seeing new incentives to switch. Chrome's lack of support for non-Google password managers is another reason you may have been looking to make the jump, but a new hidden setting could level the playing field on this front.