Google is promoting a new version, the Chrome 56 web browser, enabling HTML5 as default for users.
This is part of a phased rollout encouraging sites to eliminate the plain HTTP, so that all sites not making use of HTTPS will be named non secure. The Chrome 56 has been in the development process for three months after entering the Dev process on the 21st of October 2016. It was then promoted to the Beta on the 8th of December.
HTML5 by Default
The most interesting feature of the Chrome 56 browser release is that it enables the HTML5 technology by default. This is applicable for all the users if the platform is supported. The stable update of Chrome 55 released last month had already begun to roll out the HTML5 as a default for some users, but now it is available for everyone all over the world. The new release also offers WebGL 2.0 support by default.
Eliminating HTTP
HTTPS is a secure version of the HTTP and represents the protocol through which any data is sent from the browser to a website that the user connects with. The ‘S’ at the end of the HTTP represents ‘Secure’. This is because all the communication being sent between the user’s browser and the connected site are encrypted. Confident transactions, such as online banking, online shopping and so on are protected with the HTTPS.
Currently, Chrome shows a non-secure connection with neutral indicators. With the new Chrome 56 release, Google Chrome will be able to mark as not secure, pages that collect important and sensitive information, such as credit card details, passwords and so on with the use of HTTP.
Eliminating Flash Player Plugin
With the release of the Chrome 56, Google offers the browser’s first version that does not make use of the Flash Player plugin by Adobe. This will result in an enhanced performance and offer more safety for the application. In case of the safety measures, Google also informs users with a notification warning them about websites that are non-secure, similar to the way other prime web browsers operate.
Additional Support
The new Chrome 56 also comes with FLAC or Free Lossless Audio Codec support and the Web Bluetooth API, allowing the user to take control over several devices that support the Bluetooth LE technology through web applications. However, this feature is only supported for Android and macOS and Chrome OS for now.
51 Security Patches
The Google Chrome 56 also offers security patches for 51 vulnerabilities covering those detected during the entire cycle. This will make Chrome one of the most secure places for browsing.
Several Platforms
Google has begun to roll out the Chrome 56 to several platforms, such as Windows, the macOS and Linus. However, it will soon promote the Chrome OS to the 56 version, which has not been updated from January 10th 2017. It will finally offer support for running an Android application on a Chromebook, in accordance with Google’s promise.