Google Chrome Coming to Mac

Since its full release out of beta mode, Chrome, the new web browser developed by Google, has been meeting and/or exceeding the expectations of PC users around the globe. Sporting extreme ease of use and other helpful features (for the full IGN report on Google Chrome click here.), the browser appears to be off to a good start. One of the only problems though, is that Mac and Linux users, as usual, were left out in the cold for the initial release of Chrome. Today, Google Chrome representatives confirmed that they hope to get a working version out to Mac/Linux customers sometime within the first half of 2009.
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"That team now is able to render most Web pages pretty well. But in terms of the user experience, it's very basic," said Brian Rakowski, Chrome's product manager, referring to the Mac version. "We have not spent any time building out features. We're still iterating on making it stable and getting the architecture right."

In addition to expanded usage on different operating systems, Google also announced a new version of Chrome, version 2.0.156.1, which provides some basic customization tools for the browser, a request at the top of the list from Chrome users. Rakowski admits that Chrome is missing some major pieces, such as the ability to handle extensions that can be downloaded to help customize the browser. The new version provides some relief, but Rakowski considers it just small progress.

"We have user script support. That's a baby step," he said. As Chrome develops, Google will "expose more capabilities, then expose containers where can you have your own toolbar-like thing. You'll see it evolve over time."

Here's a quick list of some of the features of Google Chrome v. 2.0.156.1:

• Autocomplete, which remembers what you've typed into web forms and helps you fill them in upon future visits.
  
• Full-page zoom.
  
• Browser profiles for setting up a browser with certain settings including bookmarks and cookies.
  
• Ability to import bookmarks from Google Bookmarks site.
  
• Enhanced Safe Browsing, a feature that issues safety warnings against potentially harmful sites.
  
• V8 Java Script version 0.4.6.0
  

For more information on Google Chrome, visit their website.

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BY Chris Iaquinta
Source：ign GEAR