Google just officially released its beta version of Chrome Browser for the Mac (and Linux). Chrome is marketed as one of the fastest and most secure browsers available today.

Personally, I find it as fast as Safari 4 on the Mac. More secure? Perhaps due to its sandboxing design for each tab. One thing I noticed, though, is that it uses far less resources than Safari 4. If that does not make you try it, I do not know what will. :D

Google, however, decided NOT to include some features on Chrome that are available on its Windows version. One important feature is the support for Extensions. Yeah, how else can you get an extension that will block those pesky Flash advertisements and sites? How else can you block those annoying non-Flash advertisements, too?

Since you are brave enough to try beta software, I’d make a wild guess that you are also brave enough to try the daily builds. Daily builds are versions of software that are directly from the developers, as they fix bugs and test new features before it is released as alpha, beta or release candidate. Anyway, get the latest daily build of Chromium, the open-source app that is the basis of the official Chrome release, and install it. The icon is different from that of Chrome to allow you to distinguish between the two versions. Believe me, the daily build is newer than Chrome. :D

Once you have Chromium up and running, go to <http://grack.com/blog/2009/12/08/re-enable-install-button-for-mac-chrome-extensions/> and install the bookmarklet (just drag and drop it on the bookmarks bar). Proceed to the Google Chrome Extensions page <http://chrome.google.com/extensions> and select an extension. You will notice that the Install button is greyed out. Click on your newly installed bookmarklet and boom! The Install button will magically work! :)

First thing I installed is a Flash blocker and then a GoogleWave (need an invite? let me know) Notifier. Both worked as advertised. I am still thinking if I should install Google Voice Notifier and other notifiers for GMail and Google Reader. We’ll see how it goes. :D So, what are you waiting for?