Chrome 14 launches with Native Client, Lion support

By Mike Flacy September 16, 2011

Google+ enhanced: Five must-have Chrome extensions — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Earlier today, Google pushed the most recent revision of Chrome out to users of the Web browser. Google Chrome 14 brings a smattering of bug fixes as well as updates to the core functions of the browser. One such update adapts Chrome to the Mac OS X Lion scroll bar style that appears when scrolling up and down the page. Chrome is also now compatible with Lion’s full-screen mode. Google has included Native Client support within this version of Chrome allowing developers to run C and C++ Web apps within a secure space in the browser. While it only works with content from Google’s Web Store at the moment, the company plans on removing that limitation shortly.

Chrome 14 has also received a new Web Audio API that allows developers to mix sound sources within a three dimensional space, a feature that could easily translate into Web-based games. Advanced audio effects like spatialization can be built into a HTML5 page for instance. Google has published a variety of demos if interested in taking the new sound effects for a test drive. On the bug squashing front, Google fixed 32 bugs ranging from low to high in severity and paid out nearly $15,000 to those that reported the problems. No critical bugs were located during this round of revisions.

While testers in the Chromium channel are already playing with Chrome 16, the next version of the popular Web browser will bring more end-user upgrades than Chrome 14. The most significant upgrade within Chrome 15 are three options at the bottom of a new tab. When a new tab is launched, users can switch between most visited sites, apps and bookmarks. The recently closed tabs menu has also moved to the bottom right hand corner of a new tab, a helpful tool after accidentally closing a tab.

Topics

Contributing Editor

By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…

Computing

These 6 tweaks take MacBooks from great to nearly perfect

The MacBook Air on a white table.

I love getting a new MacBook. The slow-opening box, the fresh install of macOS, even the enchanting new Mac smell (which people have been rhapsodizing about for decades) -- it’s all part of the experience.

But you know what? MacBooks don't arrive perfect out of the box. There are a few things that I always have to adjust, regardless of how powerful the laptop is. From changing the default apps to unlocking a few hidden extras, here are the first six things to do with your new MacBook before putting it to work.
Unlock some trackpad tricks

Computing

The XPS 16 is fighting an uphill battle against the MacBook Pro

Dell XPS 16 sitting on desktop with flowers.

It took a few years, but Dell finally updated the design of its two largest XPS laptops. The XPS 15 gave way to the XPS 14, while the XPS 17 was replaced by the XPS 16. The latter gained the ultramodern look of the XPS 13 Plus, complete with a glass palm rest, a hidden haptic touchpad, and a row of LED function keys.

It's a significant update but places the XPS 16 in direct competition with the Apple MacBook Pro 16. That's an excellent matchup with proven performance and battery life and an elegant design that's solid, if a lot more conservative.
Specs and configurations

Computing

These 4K monitors are discounted at Best Buy — from $200

The Sony InZone M9 sitting next to a PlayStation 5.

A 4K monitor is a great way of enjoying an enhanced image as you work with more pixels, higher resolutions, and often better colors too. Over at Best Buy, there are some great monitor deals squarely focused on all things 4K. There are dozens of 4K monitors in the sale so the smart move is to hit the button below to see what’s there for yourself. If you want some help though, we’re here. We’ve picked out a few highlights in the sale so take a look for yourself.

What to shop for in the Best Buy 4K monitor sale
Samsung makes some of the best monitors around so why not start with the ? It’s currently reduced by $150 so it costs just $200. Its IPS panel looks great with AMD FreeSync support effectively eliminating screen tears and stutters. There’s also HDR support which brings with it some great looking colors while wide viewing angles mean it looks great from any perspective.