Chrome developer version bashes Street View bug

Google on Wednesday night released the new version 0.4.154.31 of its Chrome browser to bash a bug that bit me by blackening the new big-screen version of Street View.

Indeed, I no longer get the problem. Now if the company could get its Google Earth browser plug-in to work with Chrome, it would look more like Google's right hand is cooperating with its left hand.

According to Chrome Program Manager Mark Larson, the new version also fixes "trackpad scrolling on more laptops (and the) Sogou Pinyin Chinese input method editor skipping the first letter typed." Fuller details are posted on the release notes page.

Chrome is in beta test form, but the new version, 0.4.154.31, is a developer release that's another notch more raw. For example, it includes attempted and "speculative" fixes that are more experiments to stop some crashes than proven solutions.

By virtue of Chrome's phone-home feature, Google can track crash reports, and one bug developers are trying to fix is among the top 10 causes of crashes.

To activate the crash-reporting tool, which isn't enabled by default, click the wrench icon to open the Tools menu, click "Options," click the "Under the Hood" tab, then check the "Help make Google Chrome better by automatically sending usage statistics and crash reports to Google" box. And if you're concerned that the Googlebot is monitoring your every keystroke, here's Google's description of the Chrome reporting tool's activity:

Information that's sent to Google includes crash reports and statistics on how often you use Google Chrome features. When you choose to accept a suggested query or URL in the address bar, the text you typed and the corresponding suggestion is sent to Google. Google Chrome doesn't send other personal information, such as name, e-mail address, or Google Account information.

Chrome, by default, already sends to Google the Web addresses you type so the browser can suggest search terms or auto-complete addresses. Turning on the monitoring feature means that it also keeps track of which of those suggestions you like.

[Clarious]

Having playing with chrome for a while, I realized I have get used to its Omnibar :( much better than firefox awebar, the bad thing is that for some reason, chrome always crashed when it try to import settings from firefox, so I can't used it yet :(

[2008Joshua]

When i tested this, i went onto some of the websites and i couldnt go on them

[cnet_user_0]

Google should just remain to search. Reinventing the wheel is nothing to brag about. All Google apps are POS.

[loose_screw]

Right, that's why they are so popular. Idiot.

[goodspeed8701]

What do you expet from a company that steals codes from microsoft to build their chrome... Even their chrome icon is like microsoft start button. Same exact colors.

I love IE and i use opera for 10% of my browsing and firefox for only ftp addon to upload my website.

Most people thinks IE dont render sites properly. Its because IE is by default set not to run in compatibily mode and when that is fixed by the user, firefox can't even compete.

Talking about fastness... i dont know about chrome but i believe it may be a fast browser from what people say. But when it come to firefox i have an experience about it. Its a slow browser.

[loose_screw]

Please cite sources that back up your claim about Google stealing code from Microsoft. I call bull. Your comment is idiotic and stupid.

[loose_screw]

What a bunch of whiners. If you don't like it, don't use it! Seriously, complaining about increased (free) competition? Isn't that what the free market is all about?

[goodspeed8701]

I sad chromehas microsoft codes in it, and you said you source so here it is: http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/67551/ read it and tell me what you understand.

[loose_screw]

You said Google steals code from Microsoft. They didn't steal it, it's open source from Microsoft. Per the article:

"Microsoft let the WTL pass into open source about four years ago. It apparently was one of the first such projects to go that route, according to Hanselman's account. Still, Microsoft execs back then were leery about "the business value" of open source software. The WTL's release was a rarity."

There's a difference between STEALING and using open source code that's provided by whomever. Chrome is open source as well, meaning they let other people use their code as well, and some have (see Iron browser).

[alejoche]

Chrome is just the best web browser. We just need add-ons, and that's all.

Chrome rules!!!.
IE sucks!!!!!.
IE is just the worst web browser.

[Shankland]

Google used some of MIcrosoft's open-source code called the Windows Template Library. Microsoft certainly wrote it, but since it's open-source software, Google is free to use it, so calling it theft is mostly inappropriate.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10041995-92.html