We recently learned that Google has already started with the implementation of Chrome 90 , the new updated version of its popular and well-known browser, which is now available for desktop computers (both Windows and macOS) as well as for Android devices. In fact, on iPhone, at least for the moment, it would not be accessible.
Although it is true that we are facing an update that, originally, does not bring a long list of new functionalities or functions, it is true that it has two important changes for the user , which is why we have decided to talk to you about it, since they could help make today’s most popular browser even better.
Some of those more interesting features include the default forwarding of users to the HTTPS versions of websites, in order to guarantee maximum security, or compatibility with the AV1 encoder. But let’s go in parts.
Automatic redirection to HTTPS protocol
Some years ago Google decided to take the step of recommending webmasters to implement the HTTPS protocol on their websites, regardless of whether or not they were online stores, or requested personal data from users.
Until then, this protocol was commonly used by online stores, banks and other similar services, as it is a secure extension of the HTTP protocol, which would guarantee that the data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website are encrypted. , and in no case could they be spied on.
Although Google was clear in indicating that the use of this protocol was not going to be used as a signal to improve the position of websites that used it in their search results, with the arrival of Chrome 68 users could view a tag that it identified HTTP pages as “not secure”, and HTTPS pages as “secure.”
However, this time its developers have decided to go one step further, so that, by default, Chrome will redirect all websites to the most secure protocol , as a measure of protection of network communications when authenticating the website, to while protecting data in transit.
In other words, the browser will first try to connect to the HTTPS version of the site, and if this attempt fails, it will end up switching to the traditional protocol .
Since the move from HTTP to HTTPS forced websites to carry out an automatic redirection (imperceptible in most cases for users), by using this more secure protocol by default Chrome could load web pages very much faster .
The new version could also help improve Stadia performance
Google Stadia is the console-less video game platform developed by Google. With this new update we have learned that the AV1 encoder is included , which would help increase the performance of video conferencing software through WebRTC.
According to the company itself, the AV1 encoder would provide more efficient compression , compared to other types of video encoding, which would reduce bandwidth consumption while improving visual quality. In other words, it allows users with very low bandwidth (with video at 30 kbps or less) to use video without problems.
On the other hand, it could also improve the performance of Stadia , especially to players who do not have fiber to play in the best conditions. While it is true that, until now, to be able to play with this platform Google recommended a minimum Internet connectivity of 10 Mbps, it is very possible that, after the inclusion of these improvements, this minimum speed could be revised downwards.
However, we must bear in mind that not all components support this codec. In order to use it, you will need at least an Intel Tiger Lake processor and an AMD RX 6000 or RTX 3000 graphics card.
