One should be ever booted and spurred and ready to depart - Montaigne
|
|
|
Google's Chrome 11 fixes $16,500 worth of bugs, adds speech translation
SOFTWARE HOUSE Google's Chrome web browser is now at version 11, and its release is marked by a record payout for security fixes as well as a speech translation feature.
A total of 27 security vulnerabilities are fixed in the latest stable release for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame. Individual rewards were from $500 up to $3,000 for a particularly nasty looking bug that allowed a possible URL bar spoof leading to navigation errors and interrupted page loads.
Among the researchers Google gave thanks to was Braden Thomas of Apple Product Security. This is most likely because Chrome's underlying open source browser engine Webkit is the same one that runs Safari.
Chrome users will now also be able to play around with speech translation, thanks to a new speech input through HTML feature. Using the Google Translate application, you can speak after clicking a microphone at the bottom right of the input box. You'll be able to read and listen to the translated result.
This isn't new, as you can already do the same with apps on the Iphone and Android smartphones, but the technology isn't good enough to get anywhere close to the universal translator you imagine you would need for a Star Trek future. But it's still an interesting result of the research Google is doing to separate Chrome from its rivals. µ
Tags: Security
Share this:
Share
I moved to Chrome about two months ago, having used firefox for years. They have a pro-active approach to security. I mean, paying people to find your mistakes? That takes guts.
I use a lot of computers and being able to have them all in sync, with the same layout, is a real bonus. Plus it is lightning fast.
I did try the new Firefox 4, hoping to be lured back (I still have a sense of community with it) but the sync feature was hideously bugged and cumbersome to setup.
Kudos to Google, they have the right approach. Their browser is simple and fast and has the useful features you need, even without add-ons.
I sometimes worry about Google's involvement in my life - what if they turned to the dark side?! But for now they are a force for good in the interweb, and their stuff is simple, useful and free.
Did anybody start the countdown before we get told off for saying words that are patented - in our own homes?
But first we'll one day find that google put all our private conversation our computer collected available to all people on your contact list.
I can't wait, it's going to be hilarious.