Google released the next developer version of its Chrome web browser, which now stands at version 12, and received tab and start page improvements. Mozilla is working on the first patch for Firefox 4, which will carry the version number 4.2, while more mockups of Firefox 5 design elements have been published.

Chrome moved the developer version of Chrome to version 12 (12.0.712.0) late yesterday and not only added the new apps-centric start pages, but also a multi-select feature for tabs. Users can now use the CTRL key select multiple tabs and apply certain actions – such as moving the tabs, closing them or reloading them. The feature is still a bit rough as at least 3 mouse clicks are required to highlight two tabs (the original tab, a new tab and the original tab again). However, we expect the multi-tab support to evolve over time and this may not be the final feature.

Mozilla’s developer team is busy providing the first update for Firefox 4. The first nightly builds of Firefox 4.2apre have been available for two days, but will not include dramatic changes, but reflect Mozilla’s new development process. There will be bugfixes, but bigger changes should be expected for version 5, which is due at the end of June.

We know that the developer team is already hard at work figuring out the changes for Firefox 5, but there is no public information about these features yet – other than what we previously described as part of the areweprettyyet.com pages. The site was recently updated with a mockup that highlights the way how Firefox 5 will handle account information on specific websites. Sign-ins will be able directly through a pop-up window and the account name will be displayed in the URL bar. The account manager will support multiple accounts through the URL bar and support multiple account sign-ins at the same time.

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