Google quietly launches Chrome beta for iOS through Apple’s TestFlight

Google has quietly launched a Chrome beta for iOS through TestFlight, the beta distribution service Apple acquired last year and integrated into its own developer services. Google has yet to make an official announcement for the beta release, but users can already sign-up and download the beta when visiting Google’s Chrome beta download page on iOS.

Google has long had beta and other development channels available to all on its other platforms including Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, making iOS one of the last of the platforms Chrome is on to get access to in-development, beta features.

Unless Google will limit the number of people allowed in the iOS beta, it seems they have arranged something special with Apple to enable a more automatic wider beta testing pool as external TestFlight testing is normally a manual sign-up process and limited to just 2000 users.

Users that download the new Chrome beta today will be able to update to Chrome version 47.0.2526.53, which brings support for Apple’s new 3D touch feature on the iPhone 6s, additional Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts, and other new features. For 3D Touch, users will be able to deep press the Home screen icon for quick access to functions like opening a new tab, voice search, and switching to incognito mode.

Here’s a look at the new 3D Touch feature:

To sign-up to the Chrome beta for iOS, users have to click the download button on Google’s beta download page, enter their email address, and wait for a link via email to download the app through TestFlight. They’ll also have to download Apple’s TestFlight app to their device.

(via Google Operating System blog)