Apps

Chrome 56 for Mac Now Available – Brings Security Enhancements, Lower Power Consumption, More

Google has released version 56 of its Chrome browser for Mac. The update, which began rolling out earlier today offers faster page loads, lower power consumption, and security, and performance enhancements.

New features include:

  • Improved warnings when a website asks for password or credit card information over an unsecured connection.
  • HTML5 is now the default standard for all users, automatically blocking Flash content.
  • Support for the HTTPS-secure Web Bluetooth API (allows websites to connect to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices like printers and lightbulbs).
  • 51 additional security fixes.
  • Page reloads are 28% faster and results in 60% fewer validation requests, maximizing reuse of cached resources, resulting in lower latency, power, and data usage.
  • Built-in FLAC support, allowing users of the format to listen to tracks from within the browser.
  • A new Browser Timer feature that automatically throttles background pages overstepping their allotted runtime allowance, as long as they aren’t playing media.

How to Update to Chrome 56 for Mac

The new browser version is available at the Chrome website, or existing users can update their browser by clicking “Chrome” -> “About Google Chrome” in the menu bar. An update to the iOS version of the venerable Google browser is also expected in the near future.

(Via MacRumors)

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.