Google updated the Chrome beta release last month with a number of HTML5 technologies. The most important, of course, being the pointer lock API. It allows the browser to replicate the mouse controls that native PC games have enjoyed for over two decades. All the new HTML5 goodness is now available to everybody.

Google announced today that the latest stable release of Chrome features the pointer lock API. Regular Chrome users can now benefit from added precision that come from native mouse controls. A future of browser-based first-person shooters may be upon us.

Google points Chrome users to try out Mozilla’s BananaBread. It’s a first-person shooter that takes advantage of all the latest HTML5 technologies including the pointer lock API. Another impressive features is that the game can take advantage of HTML5 and CSS for texture compression purposes. Browser-based 3D games can now look similar to early PS2 games.

Google, like Mozilla, points out that the pointer lock API wasn’t just made for games. There are a number of applications, including medical and modeling, that will benefit greatly from the new API. Imagine a modeling application that can now run natively in your browser without the need for Flash or any plug-ins. It’s an exciting future and one that Google is embracing alongside Mozilla.

Check out the Google Chrome release channel for the full list of changes. Windows 8 users will be especially happy to know that the newest version of Chrome contains further refinements. Here’s hoping they fixed the Metro Windows Store version of Chrome.