Google released a new version of its Chrome Web browser on Tuesday, as the search giant continues its efforts to get a foothold in a market dominated by Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The new Chrome represents the first major update of the software aimed at the general public since Google entered the browser business six months ago.

Chrome's developers claim that the new BETA version of the browser is 25% faster on Google's V8 benchmark and 35% faster on the Sunspider benchmark than the currently available stable version of Chrome and almost twice as fast when compared to the original beta version of Chrome.

The new beta also offers Web surfers a handful of new features, such as auto-filling of personal information on online forms and a new way for users to drag around tabs of different Web pages within the browser window.

The latest beta version of the Chrome can be downloaded here

Google was a distant No.4 in the browser market, with 1.2 percent share of the worldwide market in February, according to market research firm Net Applications.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer dominates the market, with a 67.4 percent market share in February, while the Mozilla foundation's Firefox browser had a roughly 22 percent share. Apple's Safari browser had an 8 percent share.

Last month, Google officially joined the European Union's antitrust case against Microsoft, describing the browser market as "largely uncompetitive." The EU has charged Microsoft with abusing its dominant market position by bundling its Internet Explorer Web browser with its Windows personal computer operating system.