Chromium is the open source web browser project on which Google Chrome is based.
Google takes this source code and adds: an integrated Flash Player, a built-in PDF viewer, the Google name and logo, an more importantly auto-updater system .
That's why Chromium and Google Chrome have many similarities and it is usually the case that new features are integrated into Chromium first before they make their way into the Google browser.
One problem that Chromium users experience is that the web browser does not come with an automatic update, It is uploaded to ftp server several times a day. It is highly impracticable to download and install new Chromium builds manually and these builds lacks Flash player & PDF viewer. Chromium can be downloaded here or here.
Google Chrome has a number of different release channels. They use these channels to slowly roll out updates to users, starting with close to daily Canary channel builds, all the way up to Stable channel releases that happen every 6 weeks roughly.
Stable channel: This channel has gotten the full testing and blessing of the Chrome test team, and is the best bet to avoid crashes and other issues. It's updated roughly every two-three weeks for minor releases, and every 6 weeks for major releases.
Beta channel: If you are interested in seeing what's next, with minimal risk, Beta channel is the place to be. It's updated every week roughly, with major updates coming ever six weeks, more than a month before the Stable channel will get them.
Dev channel: If Want to see what's happening quickly, then you want the Dev channel. The Dev channel gets updated once or twice weekly, and it shows what Google is working on right now. While this build does get tested, it is still subject to bugs, as it enables users to see whats new as soon as possible.
Canary build: It's nothing but chromium with Google logo. Released daily, this build has not been tested or used, it's released as soon as it's built. Because there's no guarantee that it will even run in some cases, it uses it's own profile and settings, and can be run side by side another Chrome channel.
So either go for Chrome Beta as it hardly differs from Stable or for Chrome Canary as it enables you to get your hands on new features with automatic updates.
Google takes this source code and adds: an integrated Flash Player, a built-in PDF viewer, the Google name and logo, an more importantly auto-updater system .
That's why Chromium and Google Chrome have many similarities and it is usually the case that new features are integrated into Chromium first before they make their way into the Google browser.
One problem that Chromium users experience is that the web browser does not come with an automatic update, It is uploaded to ftp server several times a day. It is highly impracticable to download and install new Chromium builds manually and these builds lacks Flash player & PDF viewer. Chromium can be downloaded here or here.
Google Chrome has a number of different release channels. They use these channels to slowly roll out updates to users, starting with close to daily Canary channel builds, all the way up to Stable channel releases that happen every 6 weeks roughly.
Stable channel: This channel has gotten the full testing and blessing of the Chrome test team, and is the best bet to avoid crashes and other issues. It's updated roughly every two-three weeks for minor releases, and every 6 weeks for major releases.
Beta channel: If you are interested in seeing what's next, with minimal risk, Beta channel is the place to be. It's updated every week roughly, with major updates coming ever six weeks, more than a month before the Stable channel will get them.
Dev channel: If Want to see what's happening quickly, then you want the Dev channel. The Dev channel gets updated once or twice weekly, and it shows what Google is working on right now. While this build does get tested, it is still subject to bugs, as it enables users to see whats new as soon as possible.
Canary build: It's nothing but chromium with Google logo. Released daily, this build has not been tested or used, it's released as soon as it's built. Because there's no guarantee that it will even run in some cases, it uses it's own profile and settings, and can be run side by side another Chrome channel.
So either go for Chrome Beta as it hardly differs from Stable or for Chrome Canary as it enables you to get your hands on new features with automatic updates.
