Google adds Chrome Beta channel for Android
updated 05:55 am EST, Fri January 11, 2013
Google brings Chrome betas to wider Android community
Google has introduced a new Chrome Beta channel for Android smartphones and tablets. The new portal for Android will sit alongside similar channels for the desktop versions of its Chrome browser on other platforms. It will allow developers and early adopters the opportunity to shakedown the browser between major releases, while also permitting early access to new features.
The first of the beta releases can be found only at this direct link on the Google Play store. Users can install the beta alongside the current official release of Chrome, which will come in useful if any glitches are encountered. The release is version 25.0.1364.8 and comes in at 22MB with Google claiming that the performance improvement is on the Octane benchmark is between 25-30 percent.
In addition to faster JavaScript performance, a new text autosizing technique has been introduced helping with formatting on mobile displays, although it is obviously still a work in progress. Developers will also have the opportunity to play with new CSS filters that offer the ability to develop new visual effects for websites along with other technical tweaks.
