Google launches Chrome 32: Malware protection, noisy tab identification, and a Chrome OS like mode for Windows

BY Stefan Constantinescu

Published 15 Jan 2014

Every six to eight weeks, Google pushes out a new version of Chrome. If you’re reading this article Chrome, you don’t have to do anything to get the update other than restart your browser. So what’s new in version 32? Let’s start with the coolest feature, which is malware protection. Google has always tried to warn you about visiting shady websites. Now they’re going one step further and refusing to download shady files. This will obviously help reduce the number of viruses people get.

Next up is a feature that’s been in beta for quite a while, but is only now starting to hit Chrome stable. It’s the little icon next to your tabs that happen to be doing something out of the ordinary. If a tab is making noise, accessing your web cam, or connected to your Chromecast, a tiny icon will appear next to it, making it easier to terminate that tab should you not want it to run.

There’s also a new parental mode that’s in beta. Google will enable you as the parent to create Chrome profiles that limit what your child can see. Scariest of all, you’ll be able to see every single website your kid visits. Smart kids will figure out how to simply use another browser, but hey, any effort to protect kids is better than no effort, right?

And finally, for you Windows 8 users out there, launching Chrome will now essentially put you in a Chrome OS like environment. What do I mean by that? You click the Chrome icon in Windows 8, and you’ll essentially be put in front of the same screen that a Chrome OS users when they crack open their Chromebook. Google’s replacement start menu is there, icons, everything.

Sorry, Windows RT users, Chrome still doesn’t work on your OS.

[Via: The Verge]