Google has officially released Chrome 145, introducing support for JPEG-XL images—a significant development since support for this image format was removed from the browser in 2022. The updated version is now available across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, offering users enhanced image handling capabilities and numerous new features.
New Features in Chrome 145
The latest Chrome update brings a variety of improvements, including the reintroduction of JPEG-XL decoding via the Rust-based jxl-rs decoder. This move aims to improve memory safety and performance compared to the previous C++ libjxl library. Additionally, Chrome 145 introduces support for the CSS text-justify property, enabling better text alignment options for web designers. Improvements to multicolumn layout support provide developers with greater control over content presentation, enhancing the overall user experience.
Security enhancements are also a focus, with new device-bound session credentials designed to strengthen user session management. Support for an SQLite backend in IndexedDB improves database functionalities, allowing for more robust and efficient web applications. To bolster privacy and efficiency, Chrome 145 reduces default user-agent strings, making browsing more discreet. The update also adds an upsert feature for databases, streamlining data insertion and updates.
Accessing JPEG-XL in Chrome 145
To explore JPEG-XL support, users can enable it via the enable-jxl-image-format flag within Chrome. This allows for testing and adopting JPEG-XL images, which are known for their superior compression efficiency and image quality, making them ideal for modern web use.
JPEG-XL is increasingly gaining attention as a next-generation image format due to its ability to deliver high-quality images at smaller file sizes. Its support in Chrome 145 aligns with broader industry trends toward adopting more efficient image formats to improve website loading speeds and reduce bandwidth consumption. As web developers and users begin to leverage JPEG-XL, it is expected to enhance overall browsing performance, especially on devices with limited network bandwidth. Furthermore, Chrome’s ongoing updates reflect Google’s commitment to improving web standards, security, and user privacy, ensuring a safer and faster browsing experience for millions worldwide.