Google releases 64-bit version of Chrome for OS X

Google also released a 64bit release of its popular browser for OS X shortly after the release of a 64bit version of Chrome for Windows. Chrome 38, currently in beta channel, offers improved security, faster boot times, and less memory usage with the 64-bit version.

In OS X, almost all applications are already 64-bit, but Chrome still had a 32-bit structure. With the release of Chrome 38, that will change. The 64-bit version uses aslr technology, among other things, which makes the browser more secure. In addition, Google states that Chrome starts up faster, because the browser no longer has to load all kinds of 32-bit libraries. The browser would also be more efficient with the available working memory.

The release of a 64-bit version of Chrome for OS X follows the release of a 64-bit version for Windows. With the Windows version, Google promised that HD video playback would be 15 percent more efficient, but this is not mentioned for OS X. Also, the Chrome 64bit release for OS X no longer supports 32bit npapi plugins. According to Google, this is not a big problem, because most plugins are also available in 64bit. Google also reports that Macs with the first generation of Intel CPUs cannot take advantage of this release, because these processors still rely entirely on a 32-bit architecture.

Chrome 38 contains another change on all desktop operating systems: the browser shows a separate login function for a Google user at the top right. The feature allows, among other things, browser settings and browsing history between browsing sessions. A guest mode is also available, where browsing history is cleared after logging out of this account.