Google Chrome 90: Available Now, What’s New?

Google Chrome 90 is now gradually rolling out to Windows 10, macOS, Linux and mobile users with many consumer-oriented features and security improvements. Chrome 90 is also the first version of the browser to automatically download all URLs using the most secure HTTPS protocol.

In Chrome 89 or earlier, if you enter URLs into the Chrome address bar (omnibox), the browser will first test the connection to the (unsafe) HTTP version of the website before redirecting users to the HTTP (secure) version. After applying the latest Google update, Chrome 90 will test the HTTPS version of the website instead of the insecure protocol.

Google Chrome already blocks HTTP file downloads on the HTTPS page, and currently only Google Chrome automatically downloads URLs via HTTPS and it remains unclear if this feature will also migrate to other Chromium browsers such as Edge.

New features in Chrome 90

AV1 codec

AV1 is an open source codec designed to allow better quality video broadcasting in various formats and systems. Firefox already supports AV1 and Google Chrome is also receiving this feature in a recent update.

In addition to better video quality, AV1 also reduces data usage, especially on mobile devices (Android and iOS) or when you have a slow internet connection.

The AV1 isn’t just about improving streaming quality. In theory, this feature could provide better compression and screen sharing efficiency in services like Discord and Microsoft Teams (web). However, support for AV1 in Chrome is not enough to improve the visual quality. Content should also be encoded in AV1 on websites, rather than H.264 or other formats.

Naming the window

Google Chrome receives a new window management feature to make it easier to recognize multiple browser tabs. To access this feature, you need to open the Chrome menu, click on “More Tools” and select “Name Window”.

Rename the Chrome window

Or, you can also right-click the browser window to access the feature. Chrome 90 will remember the names you assigned to the tabs, and they will be restored the next time you open the browser or if it is suddenly blocked.

This feature also comes to Microsoft Edge in version 90.

Other improvements in Chrome 90

• WebXR Depth API: Chrome is getting a new API based on the existing WebXR Device API to improve AR browser experience. With this API and caching information, Chrome-based apps will better understand the user’s environment.
• The URL Protocol component is enabled for greater compliance with the standards.
• Performance Overlay: For developers, Chrome is receiving a new optional overlay that highlights site performance with Core Web Vitals and other metrics promoted by Google.
• Security: Chrome will now block connections to HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP servers on port 554 to mitigate the NAT Slipstream 2.0 attack.