Google Chrome 2.0 Pre-Beta Available for Download
Having barely left the Beta development stage with Chrome 1.0, Google is sticking with its fast paced development cycle and has released Chrome 2.0 pre-Beta. The release is meant for testers and big Chrome fans only; the pre-Beta tag that you have undoubtedly noticed means that you may encounter some problems while using the software.
“Release early, release often. We think that's the best way to develop software that delights people. With Google Chrome, we want to release fewer features more often instead of making you wait 12 months for the next Major Dot-Oh Release Jam-Packed With Features. We can get your feedback faster, fix things faster, and release new improvements as soon as they're ready. We want Google Chrome to stay nimble so it can keep pace with changes in the sites and web apps you use,” explains the Chromium Blog.
If you already have Chrome installed on your machine and would like to test Chrome 2.0 pre-Beta, getting this latest release is a pretty straightforward process. Just follow the step by step instructions presented below:
- Run the Chrome channel switcher (details and download location available here)
- Select the Developer channel and save your selection. There are three channels to choose from; the other two are the stable and the beta channel, but they will not get the latest Chrome 2.0 version since it is still in its pre-Beta development phase.
- Open Google Chrome, then click on the wrench icon -> About Google Chrome -> Update Now.
- Chrome must be restarted in order for the update to take effect.
Here is a quick list of features you will get with the pre-Beta version of Chrome 2.0: new WebKit version, form autocomplete, full-page zoom, improved spell-checking, autoscroll, drag and dock tabs, Google Bookmarks import feature, improved SafeBrowsing, the ability to switch between browser profiles, V8 JavaScript version 0.4.6.0, new HTTPS-only browsing mode, and many others.
“Release early, release often. We think that's the best way to develop software that delights people. With Google Chrome, we want to release fewer features more often instead of making you wait 12 months for the next Major Dot-Oh Release Jam-Packed With Features. We can get your feedback faster, fix things faster, and release new improvements as soon as they're ready. We want Google Chrome to stay nimble so it can keep pace with changes in the sites and web apps you use,” explains the Chromium Blog.
If you already have Chrome installed on your machine and would like to test Chrome 2.0 pre-Beta, getting this latest release is a pretty straightforward process. Just follow the step by step instructions presented below:
- Run the Chrome channel switcher (details and download location available here)
- Select the Developer channel and save your selection. There are three channels to choose from; the other two are the stable and the beta channel, but they will not get the latest Chrome 2.0 version since it is still in its pre-Beta development phase.
- Open Google Chrome, then click on the wrench icon -> About Google Chrome -> Update Now.
- Chrome must be restarted in order for the update to take effect.
Here is a quick list of features you will get with the pre-Beta version of Chrome 2.0: new WebKit version, form autocomplete, full-page zoom, improved spell-checking, autoscroll, drag and dock tabs, Google Bookmarks import feature, improved SafeBrowsing, the ability to switch between browser profiles, V8 JavaScript version 0.4.6.0, new HTTPS-only browsing mode, and many others.
