Google has announced the release of Chrome 151 web browser. Simultaneously, a stable version of the open-source project Chromium, which serves as the foundation for Chrome, is now available. Chrome differs from Chromium in several aspects including the use of Google branding, built-in crash notification system, DRM modules for playing protected video content, automatic update mechanism, Sandbox isolation, Google API keys provision, and passing RLZ parameters during searches. An Extended Stable branch is also available for users who require more time to update, supported for up to 8 weeks. The upcoming release of Chrome 152 is scheduled for August 25.
Key changes in Chrome 151 (1, 2,3, 4):
- When opening a new tab, the bookmarks bar can now be automatically hidden if the user does not frequently use it. Users will be presented with a notification after hiding the bar, allowing them to easily bring it back with a single click. Additionally, a new option in the “Appearance” section of the settings allows users to control the display of the bookmarks bar when opening a new tab. The auto-hide feature is currently enabled for a small group of users and will gradually be rolled out to all users.
- The development of AI mode has progressed, enabling users to interact with an AI agent from the address bar or new tab page. The latest version introduces the Gemini AI assistant, available to users in the UK and 14 other countries. Users can utilize Gemini for tasks such as processing and generating files. For instance, users can upload files to Gemini to ask questions about the content or identify differences in open tabs. Gemini can also be used to create files like Google Docs, spreadsheets, and PDFs. Furthermore, the AI model for detecting fraudulent activities in Safe Browsing mode has been enhanced, facilitating early detection of malicious sites before they are blacklisted.
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