Chrome browser update tracks noisy tabs, acts more like Chrome OS

Google continues to update Chrome with common sense features that its internet browsing rivals return a "404 Not Found" error for. Case in point? The ability to see which tabs are playing sound.

The latest version of Chrome launched today with a speaker visual cue that appears in the right-hand portion of the tab whenever, say, a YouTube clip is blaring audio. No more frantically closing tabs to figure out where "Wrecking Ball" is blaring from, amiright?

It's also easy to track down which tabs are using your webcam or being cast to a bigger screen via the Chromecast tab extension thanks to a red record icon and blue screencasting icon.

Two months ago, the Chrome beta premiered these helpful tools to developers and early adopters, and now they're available to everyone using Google's browser.

Three months ago, the company enhanced the Chrome beta's malware-blocking software and added ability to create supervised users for family members. Both features exited beta today as well.

Chrome OS-like Windows 8 Metro mode

Google is also giving Windows 8 users a taste of Chrome OS with a Metro mode redesign that takes on the look and feel of its standalone operating system.

It features a new Chrome Metro default interface and an integrated app launcher. Users can easily access an app-filled taskbar at the bottom and also manage multiple Chrome windows.

This W8 Chrome Metro redesign confirms earlier reports that Google was building a version of Chrome OS to sit within Windows 8.

By giving Microsoft users a taste of its open-source operating system and making its hardware like the Samsung Chromebook dirt cheap, Google may succeed with Chrome OS after all.

• If Motorola returns to tablets, look for it to flaunt Moto Maker customization

Apple issues Mavericks update to bring Gmail back from the dead

Apple's free OS X 10.9 Mavericks update has caused plenty of headaches for people - not least Gmail users who have had to put up with misbehaving inboxes since taking the plunge.

The Cupertino-based company has outed a free patch to fix problems related to its Apple Mail app and Gmail accounts, which include mail being unintentionally duplicated and unread message tallies seemingly being plucked out of thin air.

According to Apple, the 32.46MB update fixes an "issue that prevents deleting, moving, and archiving messages for users with custom Gmail settings" and "addresses an issue that may cause unread counts to be inaccurate". To install it, you'll have to head on over to the Mac's App Store, where it should be ready and waiting.

Coming unstuck

Apple has also issued a software fix for its brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display laptops after users complained of freezing keyboards and trackpads.

And there could be more Mavericks-related patches in the works. According to 9to5Mac, Mavericks' iBooks 1.01 and Safari 7.01 updates are due to bring improved performance for new features introduced in Apple's (for now) temperamental OS.

Unfortunately, some Mac owners are still stranded in no-man's land after installing the latest version of OS X, including Western Digital external HDD users that have seen data destroyed after upgrading from Mountain Lion.

• Probably worth reading our Mavericks review again to see if it's all worth it