After 14 years since its initial release, Google Chrome finally finished counting to 100.
For most of its time during its rather long history, the popular browser has introduced new version number once in roughly every six weeks. But since 2021, the company switched to a four-week cycle to deliver new features more quickly.
And this time, Google finally reached version 100, with the version rolling out to all users on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
While getting to this version is a milestone on its own, turning 100 doesn't come with big celebration.
Chrome’s first triple-digit version has arrived with less in the way of fanfare, as it is more about "fixes and improvements."
And most importantly, the version introduces a refreshed logo, and possible issues to websites that couldn't count to three digits.
Read: How Chrome And Firefox Reaching Version 100 Can Break Websites, Developers Said
Most notable changes, include the removal of Lite Mode in the browser’s Android app, which was previously designed to use less mobile data and load web pages faster.
But as Chrome support manager Craig Tumblison explained in a post last month, the feature has become less necessary as mobile data costs have decreased, and Chrome has generally become more data efficient.
Chrome 100 also introduces a security feature it calls the 'Safety Check', 'Enhanced Safe Browsing', and the ability to control website access to users' location and device.
In total, the version fixed at least 28 vulnerabilities, none of which have been marked as critical.
9 of them however, were marked as high severity.
High severity usually means that any compromise would be limited to the browser, although vulnerabilities that allow an escape from the browser’s sandbox will often be classified as High as well. But these vulnerabilities could have more serious consequences when used in conjunction with others, so it warrants a quick update.
Google also said that Chrome 100 is the last Chrome with an unlimited user-agent string.
The user-agent string that is sent out to each user request of a website, contains information about the user’s operating system and more. And this, if combined with other data, could help malicious actors identify internet users through fingerprinting method.
To reduce the chances that users can be fingerprinted, Google is reducing the information that is included in the user-agent string, to only the browser’s brand and significant version, its desktop or mobile distinction, and the platform it’s running on.
When Chrome was closing in to version 100, many developers, including those at Google and competitor Mozilla, have been worried.
They were worried that three-digit version number being sent through user-agent can cause catastrophe to websites that couldn't count to three digits.
This is because starting version 100, browser’s user-agent string will use a three-digit version number compared to a two-digit number.
Websites that are only designed to recognize browsers with two-digit version numbers could crash.
But given Google has been warning about the transition for months, testing showed that many of the major bugs have been spotted and squashed.
While reaching 100 came with no party and no celebration, the company couldn't just let the moment pass without at least reminding people of what the web has been through.
"It's been exciting to watch the web grow, and see all the amazing stuff you've built over the last 100 Chrome releases. We thought it would be fun to take a stroll down memory lane and celebrate #100CoolWebMoments that have happened in the last 14 years."