Google Chrome to emerge from Beta

Google's Chrome web browser could become a full release product shortly, according to a report.

Marissa Mayer, Google's vice president in charge of search products, made the revelation to TechCrunch's Michael Arrington at LeWeb 08. However, no exact release date was revealed.

Many companies that might want to use Chrome will not do so until it is properly released and a fully-supported product. The browser is currently available for Windows but Mac and Linux versions have yet to be released, though they are reportedly being worked on.

The first Beta of Chrome was released in early September, to a generally positive response.

If it does secure a final release, Chrome would have shed Beta status much faster than other high profile Google projects, such as Gmail, which is still in Beta despite having been first released in early 2004 and being widely used.

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.