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Chrome 56 rolling out to Mac, Windows, and Linux, full HTML5 by Default & ‘Not Secure’ label rollout

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Chrome 56 is rolling out now to Mac, Windows, and Linux with a number of features and security fixes. Beginning as a staged rollout in the previous version, HTML5 by Default is now enabled for all users. Additionally, all sensitive HTTP sites will be marked as unsecure in the address bar.

With last month’s release, Chrome only defaulted to HTML5 for a small subset of users. Now, it is enabled by default, with the first visit to webpages prompting users about Flash usage. This deprecation of the Adobe plug-in should lead to a better and safer web browsing experience.

Also on the security front, Chrome’s labeling of unsecure HTTP sites is also seeing a full rollout with this version. Starting last month, HTTP pages that collect passwords, credit cards, or other sensitive information were marked ‘Not Secure’ in the address bar to encourage HTTPS adoption.

Mostly benefiting the Mac, support for playing FLAC audio files is now available in Chrome 56. The interface remains the standard media player, but nevertheless is a nice addition for the Apple operating system that natively lacks this playback capability.

Other features include the Web Bluetooth API that allows web apps on Android, Chrome OS, and Mac to communicate with nearby Bluetooth Low Energy devices.

Chrome 56 for desktop is rolling out now, with updates for Chrome on Android and Chrome OS following shortly.

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com