Google Chrome

Yes, it’s official now. Google has launched its very own browser Chrome. The beta version has been released across the globe in over a hundred countries. You can read the Google take on the Chrome here . And in this Chrome Comic , Google comes clean as to why it thought the world needed a new browser.

Similar to the buzz that surrounds most tools from the Google stable, this one is no different. The release of Chrome had been widely anticipated and already it has caused ripples if the hot discussions around the blogosphere are anything to go by. Reportedly, Google has been working on Chrome for at least 4 years now. It should be worth the wait as ‘Chrome’ promises to be a browser that treads off the beaten track as far as surfing experience goes.

Let’s have a look at some ‘Chrome’ features now:

  • Fully open source based on Webkit architecture
  • Multi-threaded with each process having its own memory and copy of global data structures
  • A OS-like process manager gives you a tab-by-tab view of which web apps are hogging your CPU and bandwidth
  • Built-in JavaScript virtual machine called V8
  • Gears come pre-loaded
  • Tabs are above the address bar and each tab has its own controls
  • Built-in privacy mode and phishing protection
  • Web apps can be launched in their own toolbar-less browser window

Feature-rich is the phrase that comes to mind after reading all that, right? Wonder what it will feel like when one actually gets going in the internet using the application. For sure it’s going to be a different experience. 

It’s interesting to look at the implications that ‘Chrome’ will have on other browsers. Microsoft IE and Mozilla Firefox, being the nearest competitors would, of course be wary of the new kid on the block. Google, for its part, says the new kid will only help older browsers by building a solid foundation for modern web applications. Chrome, they say is a browser that is more stable, faster, and secure, with a clean, simple, and efficient user interface. (just like most Google applications!)  There is a lot that others can learn from its design and replicate. But many are of the opinion that Google is flexing its muscles a bit too much and this is just another attempt to take over the internet completely.

I recently came across a fantastic blog by Google’s own, Matt Cutts.  He describes the possible objections about ‘Chrome’ and gives his own FAQ session.  Check out the article here.

Anyway, if there is someone who is not complaining at all, it’s the surfer. He will be having the last laugh no matter who releases what. For him it’s the surfing experience that matters and if all this helps to make the internet a better place to spend time — all the better! 

Design and development companies – get ready for yet another web browser to do cross compatibility testing with.

Web surfers – welcome to yet another option for improved usability!  This can’t hurt!

Happy days ahead surfers! 

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