Google Chrome Updates To Allow Multiple User Account Syncing

Google has updated Google Chrome to version 16, offering users the ability to sync multiple user accounts.

Fifteen bugs have been fixed from the beta version, but financial rewards for security bug discoveries amounted to just $6,500 (£4,200), compared with $26,511 (£17,131) that Google paid out for 18 security flaws found in Chrome 15.

Split Personalities

For the latest round of flaw discoveries, Google paid $1,000 (£646) apiece for high-risk URL bar spoofing, use-after-free bugs in SVG filters and range handling, a buffer overflow in PDF font handling, an out-of-bounds write in the V8 JavaScript engine and an out-of-bounds read in PDF cross references.

The biggest advancet for Chrome 16 is the extension of the browser’s sync tool to allow more than one user to sign into Chrome on the same computer, port all of their bookmarks, extensions and applications to any computer, and make changes to those tools as they see fit.

This will accomplish two things. One, it will save users of a shared computer from having to download and install software and type in passwords repeatedly.

Two, it will prevent bookmarks, apps and extensions from getting mixed up with everyone else’s and ensure the right Chrome content syncs to the right devices.

Finally, Google has upgraded its Chrome Web Store again. Chrome app shoppers can now filter app title by the most popular and highest-rated apps. Users may also find new programs via the ‘related’ tab, and check out winter holidays and New Year app genres.

Chrome is on a roll, having jumped to an 18 percent market share through November, according to Net Applications.

Google Chromebooks, on the other hand, appear to be suffering from some sluggish sales as consumers seem to be more interested in tablet computers with Samsung and Acer both discontinuing their Chromebook models.