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Chrome for iOS Adds Data Compression and Translation Tools [Updated]

Wednesday January 15, 2014 8:18 AM PST by Eric Slivka

Google today announced an update to its Chrome web browser for iOS, bringing data compression functionality that can reduce data usage by up to 50%.

To start saving data and turn on an even more secure browsing experience, visit “Settings” > “Bandwidth management” > “Reduce data usage.” Then simply turn the toggle to “On.” From this menu, you’ll also be able to track how much bandwidth you save each month as you browse on Chrome.

The update will also see the addition of a translation bar that automatically offers to translate web pages into the user's language. The translation bar will be familiar to users of the desktop version of Chrome, as a similar feature is already available on that platform.

Google says that the update will be rolling out "over the next few days". Chrome is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Update January 27: The update is now available.

Top Rated Comments

C DM

157 months ago

So let me get the straight. You are afraid of off-chance that someone may be intercepting your non-https web browsing but are ok with passing your data through a company whose business model is data mining? Wow.

Probably because those aren't the same things at all.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Michael Goff

157 months ago

How is it secure if they snoop ALL YOUR DATA before passing it on to you?

As secure as their servers are, which is actually quite secure.

Or we could run around paranoid...

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

mbh

157 months ago

The words "even more secure browsing experience" are not words I ever expected to hear when referring to anything Google but then again that is what Google PR department is pushing out. In fact, I suspect that this routes every one of your page views through Google's computers for a thorough data mining operation.

It says so right there in the screenshot. "Chrome is using Google servers to compress pages you visit before downloading them."

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

DaveN

157 months ago

What does their data mining have to do with security in a browser?

How is it secure if they snoop ALL YOUR DATA before passing it on to you?

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Michael Goff

157 months ago

The words "even more secure browsing experience" are not words I ever expected to hear when referring to anything Google but then again that is what Google PR department is pushing out. In fact, I suspect that this routes every one of your page views through Google's computers for a thorough data mining operation.

What does their data mining have to do with security in a browser?

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

DaveN

157 months ago

The words "even more secure browsing experience" are not words I ever expected to hear when referring to anything Google but then again that is what Google PR department is pushing out. In fact, I suspect that this routes every one of your page views through Google's computers for a thorough data mining operation.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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