Google Releases Faster Chrome Web

Google released a new version of its Chrome Web browser on Tuesday, as
the search giant continues its efforts to get a foothold in a market
dominated by Microsoft.

The new Chrome represents the first major update of the software aimed
at the general public since Google entered the browser business six
months ago.

It offers Web surfers faster performance and a handful of new
features, such as auto-filling of personal information on online forms
and a new way for users to drag around tabs of different Web pages
within the browser window.

Google was a distant No 4 in the browser market, with 1.2 per cent
share of the worldwide market in February, according to market
research firm Net Applications. Microsoft's Internet Explorer
dominates the market, with a 67.4 per cent market share in February,
while the Mozilla foundation's Firefox browser had a roughly 22 per
cent share.

Apple's Safari browser had an 8 per cent share. Last month, Google
officially joined the European Union's antitrust case against
Microsoft, describing the browser market as "largely uncompetitive."

The EU has charged Microsoft with abusing its dominant market position
by bundling its Internet Explorer Web browser with its Windows
personal computer operating system. According to a post on Google's
blog on Tuesday, the new Chrome beta loads certain types of Web pages
25 per cent to 35 per cent faster than the current version of the
browser.