Google announced today on its blog the latest updates for its Chrome browser, namely WebGL, Chrome Instant, and the Chrome Web Store. WebGL is innovative in bringing hardware-accelerated 3D graphics to the Chrome browser, without the need for additional software. Chrome Instant is a replica to Google Instant and speeds up connection with the desired website.

The Chrome Web Store is available in the US, on the New Tab page, with new additions such as BBC GoodFood, Autodesk, Sesame Street, nine King.com games and Marvel Comics. Noteworthy are also apps such as Tweetdeck and The New York Times. Be to be honest, the real reason for issuing this release is pushing through its apps. Google is promoting web apps that will weigh a great deal in software delivery, following the model of app stores for iPhones and Android phones. Apple and Google are both looking to extend these software marketplaces to personal computers, through browsers. Two days ago the Android Market Webstore was launched, featuring an in-app payment support, following Blackberry’s model.

The competition is pretty tight at the moment, because in the same period, Apple launched its Mac App Store proving its dominance on the marketplace. According to predictions, apps are expected to bring about $15 billion in 2011, Apple gathering $250 million from apps alone in the second half of 2010. Google is doing strenuous efforts to catch up, but there is still a long way until that happens. Some argue that one possible explanation for Google’s situation might be the company’s lack of powerful partnerships. The only carriers Google has joined forced with are T-Mobile and AT&T.