Subj : Google releases speedy version of Chrome for ARM a sign Windows To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Mar 27 2024 14:30:05 Google releases speedy version of Chrome for ARM a sign Windows 11 ARM-powered devices are finally going to make it big? Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:14:56 +0000 Description: Google claims its native ARM take on the Chrome browser will be seriously fast with the incoming Snapdragon X Elite CPU. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Google has released a new version of Chrome designed for ARM-powered Windows 11 PCs, and this fresh take on the web browser will particularly benefit from the incoming Snapdragon X Elite (ARM-based) chip, which big things are expected from. The idea, as Google explains in a blog post , is to get Chrome fully optimized for ARM systems so it runs faster and smoother, with the company adding: Based on recent benchmark testing, we expect Chrome to get an even bigger boost in performance with Qualcomms upcoming Snapdragon X Elite. The Snapdragon X Elite has already created quite a stir around the possibly major performance uplifts itll bring to Windows 11 devices running with ARM. Weve been hearing that Qualcomms new ARM-based processor is a serious threat to Apples M3 chip , and that it offers serious AI acceleration powers to outclass Intels Meteor Lake CPUs (add some seasoning here, mind). In short, the hype train is running at full steam, and Google is chucking more coal into the pre-release engine by announcing this faster take on Chrome, and that itll be running even more speedily with Qualcomms inbound Snapdragon SoC. Analysis: A timely arrival reinforcing certain vague Surface rumors? This version of Chrome for ARM-based PCs has been in testing for a while now since January in fact, as Neowin , which spotted all this, points out so its coming out in good time ahead of the launch of AI PCs thatll have the Snapdragon X Elite inside. Those devices are expected to debut around June with an updated Windows 11 in tow (based on an all-new platform, Germanium, incidentally ). Of course, standard (x86) Chrome could run on Windows 11 PCs with ARM chips already, but under emulation. This is where a native version of the browser has a big advantage, as theres no overhead for emulating the app, so itll run considerably faster and even more so with the Snapdragon X Elite as noted. An interesting observation here is that with Google having concocted this ARM take on Chrome well ahead of time for the launch of Qualcomms new chip, this could be an indication of how serious Microsoft is about getting Windows 11 on ARM working even better. Now, one rumor weve heard is that the consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 could possibly only run with the Snapdragon X Elite CPU (or a custom variant of this processor from Microsoft) and not Intel chips at all. In other words, the business versions of those Surface devices with Intel CPUs might be the only ones to carry silicon from Team Blue. This would be a very bold move and its just a wispy rumor, raised tentatively by Zac Bowden on X (formerly Twitter) recently , so it requires caution in abundance but the relatively speedy development of an ARM take on the most popular web browser out there is another hint that maybe, just maybe, this is Microsofts plan. We wouldnt bank on it by any means, but its an intriguing possibility that Microsoft might feel the Snapdragon X Elite is strong enough to carry Surface devices into the future on its own, at least where consumers are concerned. Thatd mean Microsoft is confident that the ARM CPU performs well enough that emulation should be fine for most everyday apps that dont have a native ARM version yet although heavyweight applications are, of course, a different matter (hence equipping business Surfaces with Intel Meteor Lake chips). You might also like Swamped with browser tabs? Chrome could soon use AI to organize them for you Google forces a new look for Chrome but you can get rid of it if you hate it Google Chrome is copying this essential Edge feature - finally ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/chrome/google-releases-speedy-version-of-c hrome-for-arm-a-sign-windows-11-arm-powered-devices-are-finally-going-to-make- it-big --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .