Chrome update offers tab micromanagement options

One of the features that set Chrome apart from rivals on its debut, the array of Web page thumbnails that greeted users when they launched the browser or opened a new browsing tab, is becoming optional.

In the Chrome 2.0.174.0 update Google released Thursday to those signed up for the raw software available through the preview channel, the browser now includes the "ability to remove thumbnails from the New Tab Page," said Google Chrome Program Manager Anthony Laforge in a blog post.

Personally, I like the feature overall, since it makes some constructive use of valuable screen real estate and doesn't seem to impose much performance penalty. But Google also added another tab management feature I missed: an "undo close tab" option in the tab management menu.

Chrome users could resurrect prematurely closed tabs before by opening a new tab then clicking on one of the three "recently closed" items toward the lower right, but a menu option seems a sensible way to accommodate those folks who wouldn't think to look on a new page for a way to open an old page.

Also, on Wednesday, Google also released a new version of Chrome to the beta channel, version 2.0.172.5, which offers a better-tested though still rough-around-the-edges version of the open-source browser. That version, after a quick tweak to correct some crashes, fixed a variety of Chrome bugs.

[jeffmcneill]

Didn't Opera have the web page thumbnails long before Chrome existed?

[ktswami]

Speed Dial thumbnails handling and undo tabs...very cool additions to Chrome beta (that Opera had years ago).

If you want a sneak peek at some of the next features Chrome (and other browsers will be adding in the next couple years), check out Opera 10 alpha3 with auto-Turbo). It's very cool; built-in Opera Link for full-sync with bookmarks, Speed Dial, typed history, etc...across Win, Mac, Linux, and mobile isn't shabby either.

Btw, anyone with add-on complaints can check out Opera User JS, and customize to your hearts content.

[austin.waring]

You can also use ctrl-shift-T to reopen the last closed tab.

[Angmarr]

Chrome still has far too many bugs to make any real impact, for example Ive visited my sites - including Google - where the radio buttons still fail to show up sometimes.

They need some serious improvements to seriously compete with Firefox. But I do love Chrome Tabs!

[Angmarr]

Overall im a "bit" Disappointing with the Google team = (

[HlLLARY CLITON]

way better than IE8 in my opinion

[jfrdricks2009]

ANYTHING is way better than Ie8. Thats not saying much.

[goodspeed8701]

yeah.. better than IE8 but i realy prefer IE 8 to anything when it comes to surfing the internet

[stm24]

Wait! how is this better than IE8?

[jfrdricks2009]

What about RSS support? Come on Google- your own Igoogle home page relies so heavily on RSS! How difficult is it really?

[pjhenry1216]

maybe Google would rather you use iGoogle for your RSS needs i suppose?

[gr4yer]

Well i can live without it, but at least they should implement something like preview in Google reader.

[edtechlab]

And Macintosh Version?

[DarkHawke]

Credit where it's due, this is a good, if long overdue, step in the right direction for Chrome. I remain skeptical about how well add-ons will be implemented (and I still wonder how they could release a 1.0 version of the browser without this feature) but being able to unclose a tab is almost as needed a feature.

[borispmchan]

The thing that makes Google Chrome my favorite is that it starts up really quickly ( Unlike Firefox) and website support is superior to Opera (Opera cannot open Yahoo HK)

[ktswami]

Yahoo HK opens perfectly and super-fast in Opera 10 preview3 for me...and hasn't had problems with 99% of sites for years after Opera developers' heroic efforts at site-patching (just as other browser makers are doing also); e.g., Chrome has to site-patch for Hotmail to work, because MS just can't be bothered to allow Chrome to render Hotmail unimpeded.
http://my.opera.com/core/blog/show.dml/3130540

(Except for the sites that intentionally disable Opera from their fly-out menus -- this means you, MSNBC -- or site video -- this means you, BusinessWeek...unless you "ID as FF or IE". Isn't that cool how it inflates FF/IE stats, and reduces Opera usage statistics?).

[firtvid20]

If Chrome could have a update button instead of click About Google Chrome then it would be better.

[Orange4u]

problem with chrome beta this version.whenever i press the borkmark link in chrome it hangs and then closes. google chorme's this version1.0.154.36 was better.