Google has today launched a new Beta version of the Chrome browser, adding brand new privacy controls into the mix. You have to admit it's great timing, what with Microsoft this week making the 'browser ballot' screen available in European version of Windows giving users the option to switch from Internet Explorer to an alternative browser, including Google Chrome right there on the main page of choices.
Google promises to give users "even greater choice and control over their privacy" with the new release, in addition to the existing web footprint free Incognito mode that is. these privacy controls can be found in a new Content Settings section of the Privacy Options dialog.
Controls such as the site by site handling of browser cookies, images, JavaScript, plug-ins, and pop-ups. So, for example, users will now be able to set up cookie rules to allow cookies specifically only for sites that are trusted, and block cookies from those which are not. It is also possible to add cookie rules for specific websites, block all third-party cookies, automatically clear all cookies when the browser is closed, block loading of all images, add image rules for specific websites, block loading of all JavaScript, add JavaScript rules for specific websites, block loading of all plug-ins and add plug-in rules for specific websites.
The new Chrome Beta also adds functionality to enable users to navigate the multilingual web without the need for any browser extensions or plug-ins, courtesy of instant machine translation of webpages. When the language of the webpage you're viewing is different from your default, Chrome displays a prompt offering to translate the page. Users can also opt to automatically translate all pages in any given language if they prefer.
If you are already on the Chrome beta channel your browser will be updated automatically today, everyone else will have to wait a few weeks unfortunately.
Wieland Holfelder, Google 's Engineering Director in Munich, said: "Browsers are perhaps the most important piece of software for computer users today. We're innovating quickly with Chrome, and continue to work towards our three central principles: speed, security and simplicity. With the new release, we also give users even more choice and control over their own privacy while surfing the web. The translate feature will hopefully open up the web for people to discover new, compelling content - no matter what language it's written in".
