Google Chrome - Google launches web browser

Google Chrome web browser First impressions of Google Chrome are good. They have managed to create a slick browser with some unique features

Recently launched 'Google Chrome' is a new web browser for Windows. It's currently a BETA release, but has good potential.

As the name suggests this browser is developed by the internet heavy-weight Google. Marketed as "... a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier."

First impressions are good, and Google can certainly back their claims that the Chrome browser has a slick, minimalist design. In addition, Chrome is very fast, with several handy features that aren't standard on some of the other popular browsers. A few are listed below:

  • When typing in the Chrome address bar you get suggestions for both search and web pages.
  • When opening new browser tabs, thumbnails of your most visited sites are displayed.
  • There's an 'Incognito' mode, which can be used to browse sites you don't want showing in you history.
  • You can add application shortcuts to your desktop, start menu and quick launch bar. Get one click access to sites, like your online email, without accessing your web browser.
  • You can drag individual tabs to split or merge multiple Chrome browser windows.
  • Includes handy web development tools - more on this below.

As of writing, there are a couple of minor issues when viewing some sites in Google Chrome. In all fairness though, Chrome is a browser on BETA release, and all browsers have their own quirks when it comes to interpreting how a site should be displayed.

Included in the standard Google Chrome install are several tools that are reminiscent of plug-ins like Firebug for Firefox. These are sure to appeal to the developers amongst us. Notably there is a JavaScript debugger, JavaScript console as well as a tool for inspecting and testing pages on the fly.

This is certainly an interesting development for Google, as it continues their diversification away from primarily internet based technologies. As they release more ambitious client side applications (don't run via a browser but on the user’s actual computer), one has to wonder how far they will go. The rumours that Google may develop their own operating system now seem that little bit more plausible. Should Microsoft and Apple be getting worried?

Mon, 06/09/2008 - 17:21
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Comments :

Full non-beta Chrome launch early next year

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 17:00.

Google has indicated that their Google Chrome browser is scheduled to come out of beta testing phase in January. They have also indicated that they are likely to do deals to ship the browser as pre-installed on some systems - much like Internet Explorer is shipped as standard with Microsoft Windows.

This is really going to ignite the 'browser wars'
See the full article here. Microsoft say they aren't worried, but they very well should be.

Already some Google Chrome critics out there

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 12:23.

Already there has been a fair amount of negative comment made about the Google Chrome browser.

Namely there have been security issues - for which Google are releasing patches. Remember it is only a beta release. Another concern is over the amount of user data that Google can now access. This could be a valid concern, as they are a major player for search, email and quite possibly one-day a browser.