Google Chrome 98 Stable patches 27 security issues

Google released Chrome 98, a new stable version of the company's web browser, to the public on February 1, 2022. Chrome follows a 4-week release schedule for stable channel releases.

The last Chrome release, Chrome 97, introduced support for the controversially discussed Keyboard API. Several other browser makers, including Mozilla and Apple, announced that they won't support the API in their browsers (Firefox and Safari).

Chrome users who run the stable version of the browser can check the installed version by selecting Menu > Help > About Google Chrome. The browser displays the installed version and runs a check for updates when the page is opened. The new version should get picked up automatically and installed after the download completes.

Chrome 98 is a security update that fixes 27 individual security issues in the browser. The severity rating of all security issues is high, the second highest after critical. You find the full list of security updates on the Chrome Releases blog.

Chrome 98 Stable

Feature-wise, there is not a lot to say when it comes to the new version of Google Chrome. Chrome Platform Status list just 10 features with the 98 milestone. Most changes are of interest to web developers only. One change removes support for SDES key exchange mechanisms from WebRTC as it "exposes session keys to JavaScript", and that would allow attackers to "decrypt the media sent over the connection".

Chrome 98 is the first stable version of the browser that implements COLRv1 Color Gradient Vector Fonts, the successor of the Google Noto emoji font. Google notes:

COLRv1 will allow smaller emoji files, reaching a size where it becomes feasible to use this type of color vector font as an emoji font format on the web.

Apple's Webkit team announced already that it won't implement support in Safari, giving Google a list of ten things it did not like and only one thing it liked about Google's proposal.

Chrome 98 Developer Tools changes

Here is a quick overview of what is new in Chrome's Developer Tools:

• Preview feature: Full-page accessibility tree (Elements > Accessibility > Enable full page accessibility tree).
• Code changes in the changes ta are "pretty printed" now.
• Adjust the timeout settings in the Recorder for a step or all steps.
• Simulate back and forward cache functionality (Application > Back-forward Cache).
• New Properties pane filter.
• Emulate CSS forced-colors media feature.
• Show rulers on hover (Settings > Show rulers).
• Support for row-reverse and column-reverse.
• Replay XHR with keyboard shortcut r.
• Keyboard shortcut to expand all search results
  • Windows / Linux - Ctrl + Shift + { or }
  • MacOS - Cmd + Options + { or }
• Lighthouse 9 is now used.
• Sources panel stability improvements.
• Experimental Reporting API implemented (Settings > Experiment).

You find additional details on the Developer Chrome website.

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