Chrome Adds JPEG XL Support for Faster, Safer Web Images

Chrome 155 introduces decoding support for JPEG XL (.jxl), a next-generation image format offering 30-50% better compression than JPEG, lossless compression, HDR support, and lossless JPEG transcoding. The format is particularly useful for high-fidelity or lossless compression of photographic images. The Chrome team reimplemented the JPEG XL decoder in Rust (jxl-rs) to ensure memory safety, addressing vulnerabilities common in C++ decoders. Performance optimizations, including SIMD hardware utilization, were implemented without compromising safety. Developer feedback, especially through the Interop Project, influenced the decision to ship JPEG XL. The team encourages developers to adopt the format for faster, richer, and safer web experiences.