Google yesterday released an update to its Chrome web browser that fixes a number of known glitches and crashes in the software.

The search engine giant said Chrome 0.3.154.3 fixes a crash when using the spell check “add to dictionary” function, as well as a browser crash on tablet PCs running Microsoft Windows Vista.

Other notable fixes include a problem in the previous version with a video playback bug brought on by plug-in issues that caused the browser to hang.

Google’s also waving a version of its shiny new browser under the noses of developers who might be keen to fiddle with open-sourced Chrome, which remains in beta. The firm warned that 0.3.154.0 is strictly for the dev channel only.

It’s calling on testers to help flush out a few remaining bugs, mostly in handling SSL edge cases and HTTP authentication in Chrome’s upcoming new HTTP networking code.

Earlier this week Firefox released a beta of version 3.1 of its own open source browser, while Microsoft plugged several critical holes in Internet Explorer. ®