Google ending support for 32-Bit Chrome for Linux, Debian 7 and Ubuntu 12.04

Google announced that it will drop support for 32-bit version of Linux, Debian 7 (Wheezy) and Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise).

Users affected will still be able to use Chrome after the axe has fallen, but they will no longer receive any updates. 
In a double-whammy, March will also see Google Chrome stop supporting Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (which will receive critical and security bug fixes from Canonical until mid 2017).

‘Ubuntu users are advised to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or later’ 

From this March only 64-bit versions of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (or later) will receive new versions of the browser from Google . To run a supported version of Google Chrome Precise users are advised to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (or later).

But what if you can’t ?

Well, don’t worry. If you love Chrome, you can install Chromium from your Linux distribution’s software repositories. The Chromium source code that Chrome is based on will continue supporting 32-bit Linux systems, so it will continue receiving updates. It’s almost the same, and it even includes support for syncing your Google account. It just doesn’t contain a few closed-source or patent-encumbered features, like the integrated Flash plug-in and support for H.264 (MP4) and MP3 media.

This is just another sign of the times. Mainstream Linux distributions recommend you use the 64-bit releases if possible. You can still continue using the 32-bit version, and Google is still supporting it somewhat by ensuring the open-source Chromium code continues to build for 32-bit. But Google is spending less time and effort supporting it and is encouraging users to move on.