Google Chrome Beta for Android 4.0 Released

Finally, as Google had intended since long, Google Chrome Android 4.0 has landed with a simple user interface and few great features. The app is focused on bringing the desktop and mobile version together by offering seamless sync of tabs and bookmarks.

The application interface is beautiful and reminds about every bit of the app’s desktop counterpart. The first page you’re greeted with is of-course the sign in page. Chrome for android syncs everything, from bookmarks to opened tabs etc.

The most interesting feature of the app is Tab Sync. This! Imagine you’re browsing the internet on your computer (using Chrome, of-course) when you’ve suddenly have to leave your desktop. You then take out your phone and pick up your session exactly where you left off, with the same tabs opened. Awesome, right?

Features

• Bookmarks are always synced in to your Google account.
• Page scrolling is even more smoother than the stock browser.
• Tabs can be switched in card view with some nice animations. Swiping a tab horizontally closes it.
• The omnibar (aka address bar) can give autocomplete suggestions.
• Page rendering seems to have improved. The changes might only be noticeable to the web designers out there.

Shortcomings

• Why cannot I switch to desktop version when viewing web pages?
• I feel quick-controls of the stock browser should also be present in Chrome. I’m seriously addicted to it.

Few other stuffs, such as the options menu, are simply a polished upgrade to features found in the stock browser. Talking about force-closes, the app often crashes whenever I try to enter something in a text field. Though, I think it’s because I’m on CM9 on Galaxy S II.

Direct Link for Google Chrome for Android (APK)

The app is only available to few countries and chances are that you don’t live there. No problem, I’ve uploaded the APK file to Dropbox, ready to be downloaded, get it here. Looks like we can expect the stock browser to be replaced by a fully functioning Chrome very soon.

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