Google has just released Google Chrome 11. Chrome 11 is the new version of the very popular browser from Google. Chrome 11 features updated bug fixes, translation and speech-to-text features, plus some simplified icons.

Users can download Chrome 11 at the official Chrome page.

Google has paid out around $16,500 to developers who have been able to find bugs in Google Chrome. Additionally, Google gave special thanks to Apple Product Security team members miaubiz, kuzzcc, Sławomir Błażek, Drew Yao and Braden Thomas who helped take the browser to a less buggy stable release.

• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010
• Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome – June 16, 2010
• Top 5 Plugins for Google Chrome – January 16, 2010
• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008

Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download originally appeared on: Crenk
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According to the official Google blog post on the launch, Google Toolbar 7 has the following features:

• Instant Search (must be enabled in toolbar options)
• Highlight ability to show where key terms appear on a web page
• Quick Scroll, to suggest what part of a web page might be the most relevant
• Auto-translation (full page and by the word)
• Page rank capabilities
• Pop-up blocking
• Auto-fill

You can download it here.

• Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 – February 1, 2011
• Internet Explorer 9 to be Available to Download March 14 – March 11, 2011
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Create Your Own Firefox and IE Toolbar – April 15, 2011
• Tweetdeck Now Available in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera – April 7, 2011

Google Releases Google Toolbar 7 for Internet Explorer 9 originally appeared on: Crenk
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The new logo has been appearing in a number of areas, but there is still no official word from Google (unlike Google).

The new logo was added just before Google Chrome adds a lot of great new features. Its rumoured that Google Chrome will be adding the ability to select multiple tabs, which is handy for managing the tab chaos some of us suffer, and abbreviated tab titles to better distinguish similar pages.

What do you think of the new Google Chrome Logo

• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008
• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010
• Google Chrome OS Supporting PC Apps? – June 16, 2010

Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo originally appeared on: Crenk
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Internet Explorer 9 is being seen as an extremely strong product, even more so for users with Windows 7 where it allows individual websites to be pinned to the Start Menu and Windows TaskBar.  Any website pinned to the TaskBar can have custom jumplists with only a small amount of added code.

IE9 is not a browser for people who like plug-ins and browser add-ons.  In fact the beta version will nag you to remove them in order to have the software working at its fastest.  It is definitely a very fast browser and stands up well against its main rival, Google Chrome.

Do you think Internet Explorer can really compete with Chrome and Firefox or is it just a waste of time?

• Internet Explorer 9 to be Available to Download March 14 – March 11, 2011
• Google Releases Google Toolbar 7 for Internet Explorer 9 – April 20, 2011
• Test Drive Internet Explorer 10 – April 22, 2011
• Tweetdeck Now Available in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera – April 7, 2011
• Internet Explorer 10 Rumoured to be Launching Same Time As Windows 8 – March 16, 2011

Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 originally appeared on: Crenk
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If you are always looking for a way to improve your typing speed and want to know some of the facts about your daily work with the keyboard, the Typing Speed Monitor should fit perfectly: How long you’ve spent typing, what characters you’ve typed most, and provides you with a keyboard visualization that tells you statistics about each of the keys you’ve typed.

I think this tool to be more useful could include some other data about your typing, for example: words we usually mistype, average speed / average mistyping, or even some exercises about how to improve your speed or accuracy.

• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome – June 16, 2010
• Top 5 Plugins for Google Chrome – January 16, 2010
• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008

Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor originally appeared on: Crenk
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Ok, there’s no surprise if I say Internet Explorer is ruling over the world (Microsoft already had a lot of problems regarding this); but what do you think about Internet Explorer 6 (developed in 2001) being the third most used browser? Or that Firefox 2.0 has more popularity than Opera 10?

Here are some other facts:

• Worldwide data says that Internet Explorer 8, 7 and 6 are the most used browsers.
• In the US, Firefox 3.5 is the third most used browser; behind IE 8 and 7.
• In Africa, IE 6 is the most used browser with 29% of the current share.
• In Antarctica the most used browser is Firefox 3.0. Yes, I said Antarctica.

These charts are using one year stats, from May 09 to May 10.

And you? Which is your favorite browser?

• Microsoft’s Web Browser Ballot Starting in March – February 28, 2010
• Google Releases Google Toolbar 7 for Internet Explorer 9 – April 20, 2011
• Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 – February 1, 2011
• New Opera 11.01 is Available to Download – January 27, 2011
• MonkeyFly: Customise Your Twitter Easily and for Free – January 9, 2010

Top 12 Browser Versions originally appeared on: Crenk
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Remote Desktop for most power and/or IT users represents the way of accessing a remote’s computer desktop by reaching it using an IP address; but is more than that. Using Remote Desktop protocol, users can access their applications, installed on a remote computer, without actually installing them locally.

This functionality, without an official announcement by Google, appeared in a Google forum; made by software designer inside the developing of Chrome: “We’re adding new capabilities all the time,” wrote Kačmarčík. “With this functionality (unofficially named ‘chromoting’), Chrome OS will not only be [a] great platform for running modern Web apps, but will also enable you to access legacy PC applications right within the browser.”

For me, almost anything representing legacy or an interoperability support sounds like a good idea; especially in today’s market when some are thinking that by being more restrictive they will win.

What do you think?

• Android Market Now Has Over 250,000 Apps: Grown by 100,000 in Last 30 Days.. Really! – March 21, 2011
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Who Wants an iPad when you can get an iPed? – May 29, 2010
• Google Chrome 4.1 Beta with Auto Translate – March 3, 2010
• Google Chrome OS Arriving this Month? – October 4, 2009

Google Chrome OS Supporting PC Apps? originally appeared on: Crenk
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Flock, the social browser, is not built on Chrome.

and browsing. Since then Flock, the social browser, has always been that fringe browser that a few people used but didn’t grab the audience it was hoping for. What did help Flock was the fact that it was built on the Firefox browser framework which made it easy to develop for since it was open source. The Flock browser allowed for many unique plug-ins very similar to Firefox, thus offering a seamless user interactive experience with the added bonus of social networking.

This week a huge announcement was made that Flock was leaving the Firefox backbone and moving to Chrome. Touted as a social browser there is definitely something to love about it, but does it really know where it wants to go? The interface has undergone a drastic overhaul moving away from the complex menus and tabs and moving more towards a simple interface with fully customizable group and friend options.

In a world where social platforms like Tweetdeck, Seesmic, and Hootsuite have been integrated into desktops and/or browsers, it feels like Flock is still running too many steps behind. Has Flock lost its luster? Perhaps, but there’s nothing wrong with reinventing yourself.

• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 – February 1, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010

Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome originally appeared on: Crenk
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The auto translate option works in a very simple way, when you are browsing your sites, Chrome will detect which is the language that is displaying and pop the question to you: Would you like for me to translate this? Here’s a short video about the feature.

Some of the other features that this beta includes:

• NoScript: The possibility to configure some sites where you can exclude them to run any type of script.
• New privacy features: You’ll get the chance to use incognito mode, where you won’t leave any track of the websites you are visiting (one of the most wanted features).
• New control panel: Better control of cookies, images, plug-ins and pop-ups.

To download the latest beta, visit http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/chrome/beta/

• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Google Chrome OS Supporting PC Apps? – June 16, 2010
• Google Chrome gets first update and more confusing – September 17, 2008
• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008
• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008

Google Chrome 4.1 Beta with Auto Translate originally appeared on: Crenk
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It is important for you to notice two things:

1. That this version is available in the developer version of Chrome, aka: “Chromium”. But why Chromium and not Chrome? Simply because Chrome Mac version does not support extensions just yet.

2. This is an alpha version; meaning that is not stable and you should expect some bugs.

Since it is an early phase of the software, 1Password will work will several sites appearing in Chromium and will complete filling simple login forms.

Here’s also a simple procedure to install 1Password in Chromium (source):

1. Make sure you have at least 1Password 3.0.4 installed. It just came out yesterday.
2. Install the developer build of Chrome or the latest Chromium. The latest developer version is required to have the needed extensions support.
3. Enter this URL into Chrome’s address bar: http://agile.ws/s/a330894b8 and install the extension from the notification that should appear at the bottom of Chrome’s window.

• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Google Releases Google Toolbar 7 for Internet Explorer 9 – April 20, 2011
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 – February 1, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010

1Password Available for Chromium originally appeared on: Crenk
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Top 5 Google Chrome plugins.

features makes it hard to break away. We’ve become so accustomed to customizing our experiences in Firefox that when we try other browsers we naturally try to do things that we did in Firefox. Obviously we’re quick to realize that we’re in another browser, and not the Firefox we remember, and naturally we quickly close out and go back to the browser we’re so familiar with.

Now with Chrome on the scene there are noticeable speed differences which make Chrome a more appealing browser in terms of search, but can we mimic the same functionality. The answer is yes and no. Yes in that there are plugins for Chrome that are useful, but also no because these plugins are slowly making their way to users.

But if you’re on Chrome and loving the experience like I am, then here are five plugins that will get you started on the right foot.

AdBlock

The familiar plugin is just as powerful as it is on Firefox. Block unecessary pop-ups, be warned if something wants to load on your page and never worry about surfing the net again. It takes a little doing, but you can get instructions on how to get those ads blocked here.

GreaseMetal

If you’ve installed Grease Monkey on your Firefox browser you know just how useful those little scripts can be in customizing your overall experience. Well Chrome users can now integrate this functionality very easily by just following these easy steps.

Download YouTube Videos

Last night the team at Crenk gathered around to share some of the top video downloaders for Firefox, so it was a natural that one of the plugins today would be a natural fit for Chrome. To gain the same experience of capturing your favorite videos, be sure to install this Chrome video download plugin and give it a try. Some code customization is required.

Bookmarking Plugins

If you’re looking to bookmark your findings on Digg, StumbleUpon or Delicious straight from your browser, then be sure to take a look at the plugins and how you can once again make them a vital part of your search experience.

Twitter Plugin

A Twitter plugin is probably one of the most requested additions to the browser. Until recently there were few options, but now Chrome can boast it’s own Twitter plugin to allow you to update and catch up on updates without leaving your browser window.

So these are some of the most highly requested plugins. It’s not necessarily as easy as with Firefox, as some customization is required, but for those of us savvy enough to experiment with our browsers, the end goal could be big payoffs!

• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010
• Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome – June 16, 2010
• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008

Top 5 Plugins for Google Chrome originally appeared on: Crenk
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A great ad-on for Chrome and Firefox called FlyMonkey pretty much fixes all of that. Below, you can see a screenshot of my Twitter with three columns, each serving it own purpose. This is done by adding features to your Twitter page (via a red ‘+’ sign above your screen). You can add extra columns for DMs, replies, mentions and an arsenal of different options.

They also integrated the Bit.ly URL shortener and Twitpic into Twitter. As you are typing a tweet, two options appear below called ‘Photo’ and ‘URL Shortener’. I found these very handy indeed.

So if you want to change your Twitter experience but don’t fancy moving to a third-party alternative, get FlyMonkey.

• Internet Explorer 9 Launch February 10 – February 1, 2011
• Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome – June 16, 2010
• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Firefox 4 in Numbers: Infographic – March 24, 2011

MonkeyFly: Customise Your Twitter Easily and for Free originally appeared on: Crenk
Join our Community: Twitter, Facebook

fixes bugs with areas including Microsoft’s Silverlight software, tab behavior, video playback with YouTube and other Flash players, and scalable vector graphics, and it suppresses full-text indexing of sites accessed with encrypted Web connections

Cnet News has all the information on how to do the update, to me the killer is you can’t even update from the software itself, you need to go to another website.  Then you have to choose which updates you want to receive, Beta or Dev, and then watch as it updates.  I have no problem with software being released and not being finished, it happens all the time, but with Google’s track record of keeping apps in beta for years and years, why put so many users through the growing pains of both Dev and Beta versions?  Me thinks Chrome should have been a private invite only release like Gmail was originally to get most of the issues flushed out in the first place.

Chrome is nice, it has a lot of cool features and has everyone who uses the internet interested, but as reported earlier, no one is really using it and no one on a Mac can even start to use it.  It pains me when major companies rely on the free labor of their own users to finish building and fixing software that shouldn’t be released yet, much less make them jump through hoops to get the update.

Anyone here a die-hard Chrome user yet?

• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Google Chrome OS Supporting PC Apps? – June 16, 2010
• Google Chrome 4.1 Beta with Auto Translate – March 3, 2010
• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008
• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008

Google Chrome gets first update and more confusing originally appeared on: Crenk
Join our Community: Twitter, Facebook

What’s so great about it?  Well it’s new and shiny, has a minimalist look and feel to it and consumes about 75% less memory than Firefox does, at least for me on my Windows XP box.  Google really seems to have done their homework with regards to chewing up your CPU cycles and there appears to never be a memory leak.  Additionally, you just need to type something in what used to be known as the address bar, as it now functions as a search bar and many other things.  It’s also fast, but how fast?  My seat dyno says slightly faster than Firefox, but to a normal user, it might only feel faster because it’s new.

What’s not so great about it?  Well first and foremost, Windows only.  As a Mac user, I once again feel like someone put me out in the cold.  Lack of any add-ons that I’ve come to love with Firefox is also missing, but if you were coming from Internet Explorer you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about anyway.  Dedicated search box is something I miss.  Why you ask, since Google answers all questions on it’s own?  Because it simply doesn’t.  I’ve been using a Firefox add-on called OpenSearchFox for more than a year now; it allows you to add a drop down in Firefox to search any site that has search enabled on it.  That means, rather than going to say Netflix and then searching, I can select Netflix from my drop down menu in the search bar and type in my query there.  My other gripe is the lack of a status bar.  I understand how important screen real estate is, but I like it, I’ve been using the status bar for more than 10 years in browsers, I’m used to it.  Lastly, Chrome doesn’t work with all websites yet.  One site that I order digital photos from requires a Java plugin, to upload the photos.  I have the plugin installed in Windows but the browser doesn’t pick it up.  I’m sure small kinks like this will iron themselves out but it’s still an inconvenience.

One of the most interesting Easter eggs is kind of a joke in Chrome.  In the address bar type about:internets – then sit back and chuckle, at least someone around the Google camp has a sense of humor.  Chrome is interesting, but it’s not a killer app for me yet, nor do I plan on switching.  For now, I will use it to beta test website design and other various things on the Internet but Firefox will continue to be my primary browser.

• First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome – September 3, 2008
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Improve your Typing with Typing Speed Monitor – October 24, 2010
• Google Chrome OS Supporting PC Apps? – June 16, 2010

Google Chrome browser 1 week later originally appeared on: Crenk
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Download was very small; it then opens an applet and downloads the rest of the software.  Installation requires Firefox to be shut down so Chrome can import all your bookmarks, favorites, history and passwords; this goes quickly and rather painlessly.  Next you get a TOS about reporting options for crashes, I denied their request and the install was complete.

Upon launching Chrome for the first time an unusual question is asked, “Do you wish to keep Google as your default search engine?”   It’s unusual in that, it’s a Google product and the first thing about this new killer app is to strip out Search, the one thing Google does very, very well.  I selected to keep it.

All my bookmarks and history imported, what didn’t was my homepage.  I’m a long time iGoogle user and rely on the RSS feeds to get me caught up quickly at a glance to what is going on with the sites I follow.  Not there.  Instead six white boxes stare at me.  A little note tells you that these are your most visited sites.  Nice idea, but not for me.  I easily look at 50+ sites in six different tabs of iGoogle.  There is no apparent way to set a traditional “homepage” only what Google wants you to see.

The other thing lacking is an option to show the status bar.  I rely on the status bar while at work and home to see where any link will take my, by hovering over it.  There are also several add-ons for Firefox that sit in my status bar that I’ve come to love, from what I can tell in Chrome, there is no status bar option.

On the plus side, it is fast.  How fast?  I don’t have scientific numbers or pretty pie charts, but it really feels fast.  One site that I know uses a fairly common Java plugin to run an app wouldn’t work and there was no option to install it but everything else on the dozen or so sites I quickly browsed seem to work.

Is Chrome the next killer app?  Hard to say now, Firefox has such a loyal, loving fan base to it, but I think this could compliment it very well.

• Google Chrome browser 1 week later – September 10, 2008
• Google Flattens Their Chrome Logo – March 16, 2011
• Flock Changing Out Firefox Framework for Chrome – June 16, 2010
• Google Release Google Chrome 11 for Download – April 29, 2011
• Firefox 4 Receives Over 6 Million Downloads in First 24 Hours – March 23, 2011

First 5-minute Impressions With Google Chrome originally appeared on: Crenk
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