Google updates Chrome 14 Dev to support Mac OS X Lion

Google has updated the alpha "Dev" build of Google Chrome to 14.0.835.2. This minor update is notable largely for the amendment of one of its multi-touch features to avoid a conflict with Mac OS X Lion, which released last week.

The latest build basically alters the browser's own multi-touch gesture for moving backwards and forwards through the browser's history to two-finger swipe gestures from its original three-finger swipe. This latter gesture is used by Lion to move between desktops and full-screen apps.

Frustratingly, Chrome doesn't enable you to a single finger swipe to move between web pages -- it's two fingers or nothing. The version of Safari that ships with Lion supports single finger page swiping, complete with suitably impressive transition effect.

In addition to improved Lion gesture support, Chrome 14.0.855.2 also includes proper Lion scroll bars for OS X users, following the user interface guidelines supplied by Apple.

Google Chrome Dev 14.0.835.2 also includes a number of minor bug fixes across all three supported platforms and will automatically update on any existing Google Chrome installation running on the Dev channel. One interesting new feature is

Version 14 of Google Chrome Dev, released on June 16, was largely notable for its absence of ground-breaking new features. Instead, version 14 has concentrated on improving the security and technology underpinning Chrome. Features include a new Javascript rendering engine and beefed up security on HTTPS websites, part of Google's attempt to remove inherently insecure sites that mix and match secure and insecure content.

As with all pre-release builds, particularly alpha builds like Google Chrome Dev, it's not a recommended installation for everyday users, who should look at Google Chrome Final instead.