Google Browser "Chrome" Takes Battle With Microsoft To New Level

***UPDATE***

GOOGLE CHROME BROWSER DOWNLOAD IS NOW LIVE for PC users.

***

Google accidentally leaked -- in the form of an explanatory electronic comic book -- its own announcement of a new Google Web browser -- just a little earlier than it meant to.

The comic book offers insight into the latest strike by Google against Microsoft, saying that current Web browsers are of an old mindset, and that Web applications like browser-based email (like Hotmail, Yahoo mail or, sure, why not, Gmail) called for a browser started from scratch.

The browser will only be available to PC users on Windows Vista or XP initially, though Google is working on Mac and Linux versions, according to Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management at Google.

The Google browser -- "Chrome" -- is clear in its purpose for users, but clearer in its purpose for the company.

The Google browser takes direct aim at Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer, which is by far the most widely used program for viewing Internet sites. The two companies already compete in Internet search engines, where Google holds a wide lead. Google has also developed Web-based alternatives to Microsoft's popular Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs.

While many people pay little attention to which browser they use, the choice makes a big difference to software companies. They can use the precious screen real estate to promote their own Web services. Moreover, they can tailor their browsers to ensure compatibility with their other products.

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The Google Chrome download site appears to have existed briefly -- according to Google's own search cache for "Google Chrome download" -- but currently yields no actual download site. Instead, there's a lot of chatter about the new Google browser and even a Google Chrome screenshot leak or two.

The new browser apparently clarifies one of Google's many acquisitions, a company called GreenBorder:

Google Chrome's debut answers a 16-month mystery: Why did Google buy GreenBorder Technologies? I looked at GreenBorder in 2006 and thought it was a great product. Essentially, GreenBorder used some virtual machine technology to isolate programs from the operating system, but still allowed them to talk with the OS in a controlled way. The most useful job for GreenBorder was to "sandbox" a copy of Internet Explorer or Firefox to make browsing more secure.

If you look at list of Google acquisitions, the one that stuck out until today was GreenBorder, which was listed as "internal use" rather than being associated with a product or service. When Google picked up GreenBorder in May 2007, it was rather curious. Experts and analysts had some wild guesses about how GreenBorder might be used inside Google.

Google's browser appears to accomplish more or less what most Google ventures do -- it makes a customizable, heavy-use Web experience a little more efficient. The comic book's explanation of Google Chrome talks a lot about using multiple-tabbed browsing, which was the feature that launched Mozilla's Firefox browser into popular use on the Web.

In other words, it's possible that Google's new browser would do heavier damage against Firefox than against Microsoft's Internet Explorer, at least initially, because Web-savvier users would be the most likely to switch to Chrome.

Comments

[looseantz]

the german BSI (german office for data security, roughly translated) recommends not to use chrome due to its massive data collection and the enormous data transparency thus created. apparently all you do with chrome becomes more or less transparent for google.

is that good?

[concerned4OurFuture]

Google continues to be a leader in internet innovations. Its search engine was and arguably is still, the best. It's decision to provide great APIs such as the one for GoogleMaps have allowed developers worldwide to create interesting and incredibly useful "mashups" - composite applications combining maps with existing data sources and other web services. Google Earth is an incredible application that has been used by major TV networks as a visual aid. BTW I had no problem finding and downloading Google Chrome.

[11Xray]

Too bad that it uses about forty percent more CPU resources with flash aps (than IE 8 beta 2).

[Deaninphilly]

Flash needs to go anyway. Totally overused and uses entirely too much resources on a system. Only newbies think it is great.

[macohmz]

I wish my brain wasn't this old. I'd like to be able to grasp what some of the commentators mean.

[Quotidien]

The Microsoft monopoly continues to be dismantled.

There's no doubt that a Google desktop operating system is in the works. They already revealed that a mobile operating system is about to be rolled out for smartphones.

I'm sure MSFT regrets not allowing themselves to be broken up 7 years ago. They (shareholders) would have been much better off.

Microsoft is no longer an innovative company:
Ipods were a smashing success, then Microsoft comes out with Zune.
Playstation was a big success, so Microsoft puts out Xbox.
I hear they are now trying to develop their own version of the George Foreman Grill.

MSFT execs are jumping ship like rats on the Titanic. One of those rats recently left with $42 billion.

[JuniorIsaac]

Actually, the browser is a lot better than I expected. I spent hours and hours testing it out and it really is amazing. Worth a download for sure.

[bpress]

This browser is still beta. chrome.org does show linux and mac versions are being worked on. Probably went with Windows version first because that is what the majority of home PCs have installed on them. I have tried it and it is fast. Has a minimalist interface. It does not support at this time some features I would like.

[ChimpmasterDJ]

I'm using Chrome as I type this. It's quire fast, and has more features than you'd think, but because it's a beta, those features aren't immediately apparent (for example, the clever new download manager).

I like that each window performs as a stand alone browser, which should eliminate hanging systems stuck on bad code.

Once the final version is released and debugged, it'll be awesome until the next Firefox comes out.

[Deaninphilly]

They need to hurry with the linux version. I understand what they are doing but really most computer geeks do not run m$.

[MoeSart]

Bunch of hype.

The Google Labs page is full of stuff few people use that was going to "battle Microsoft".

Still FF.

[Waterbug]

Feel free to download, install Chrome and be vulnerable to hackers. Chrome has an exploitable security hole found just hours after its release: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Google-Chrome-Browser-Vulnerable-to-Security-Flaw/?kc=rss

[MarceloAbans]

Good thing apple has no plans to fix it..

[MarceloAbans]

What what a dummy, I meant Google..

[HireAStartupGuy]

The merging of the address bar and search bar gives Google too much control over navigation. It separates companies and website operators from their website addresses and brands.

Companies spend heavily to establish and maintain brands. Google has just imposed itself between consumers and businesses. Direct navigation has now become proprietary search, whereby Google uses its discretion to filter out web addresses and domains that it deems less relevant.

I object and I hope you do too.

[1forthetruth]

I just dowloaded it. You have the option on start-up and at any time to change the default search engine to Yahoo, Ask etc etc. You get the same results if you were using IE or Firefox.

It does load the pages a bit faster. A cleaner interface. Only be on it for a couple hours but it seems good.

[imageNvideo]

-Who is responsible for these? What is their fault?

http____ imagenvideo (dot) blogspot (dot) com/search/label/War

--Please don't see this if your heart is weak.

[wagadog]

Sarah Palin needs to see these and consider what she means by "winning" in Iraq.

And what that means to the victims of her idea of "winning."

[Dayahka]

Chrome is, unfortunately, a bit of a flop. It may eventually compete with IE and other browsers, but for now it's got too many unresolved problems. I love the UI (user interface) and the tabs at the top, and the simple and uncluttered screen, but there are problems loading pages, closing and returning control to Windows, and other things. This is really an alpha release, not yet ready for beta or big time. I deleted my copy after an initially happy then increasingly frustrated experience with it. I'll wait for the real beta sometime next year.

[Dolphyn]

It's working great for me so far (on Windows XP). I like it. I read somewhere the Vista version has more bugs.

[1forthetruth]

did you report your experience? That would be a great help I'm sure.

[iamvalid]

Firefox, on 64 bit Linux build. Runs well and does not crash. I repeat it does not crash.
You have to remember that Firefox and it web of support people are really the good guys. If not for the open source mentality at Mozilla, we would all still be at the mercy of Microsoft, tasting any crap they threw at us. Apple users would be standing in a long row screaming "pick me pick me, I'm pretty." If only they knew their own beloved OS was purloined from an old and respected Unix variant OS. Let's hope Google doesn't get the MS delusions of grandeur and walk all over Firefox. Mozilla has been our trusted friend for many years and let us never forget them.

[truth101]

ONCE AGAIN APPLE HAS BEEN LEFT OUT BY GOOGLE, and probably for good reason
inasmuch as Apple is the world's biggest producer of junk computers and jobs is the
one responsiblle for creating a buying frenzy by APPLE TEST DUMMIES. CONGRATS
TO GOOGLE FOR IGNORING APPLE......EVERYONE KNOWS THEY ARE ROTTEN TO
THE CORE. HOORAY FOR GOODLE.........Jobs and his Safari SUCK BIGTIME

[SickStan]

hilarious, obviously you have no idea what you're talking about, but keep up the all caps, they make you look mock serious.

[truth101]

The leading program in the elearning world, Captivate does not work on Apple.
The leading 3d program in the world 3d max does not work on Apple.
etc etc etc.
Now the worlds leading Web software company has a browser that does not
work on Apple.
Add that up and combine it with recent revalations that Apple customers are at best
nothing more than test dummies for products which have not been tested, you
must draw the conclusion Apple sucks and that JOBS IS REALLY
JUST HOCUS POCUS. google rocks, and hopefully their new telephone will
put the iphone into the dustbin of other APPLE PRODUCTS LIKE
THE IMAC KEYBOARD, LEOPARD, ETC. think about...why does it take 18 screws on iphone to get to the baterey and see if the mainboard has been crackked or damaged by a drop. why? the truth is well known...... google
is a qaulity company and apple the opposite ....what ever that is...........

[truth101]

what is not hilarious is that your condescending remark might
lead someone to actually trust an apple product which has not
gone through proper and rigorous testing. this could have tragic
consequences say if someone driving in a storm has a breakdown
and is relying of iphone and ATT to save them and then they experience total
failure and then and there unfortunately Freeze to death. Apple and ATT
ARE CLEARLY WORSE THAN THE PEOPLE WHO DESIGNED AND BUILT THE
UNSINKABLE ....YES.......TITANIC......AND NEVER MADE IT across the OCEAN.
SHAME ON u steve jobs and att for putting over this hoax on the people of America
you should be taken to the superior court in every state to plead your case
of ENDANGERING PEOPLES LIVES for the quick profit.......the fact is
apple is now hyping its phone and when the winter comes people driving
will be thinking they are connected when they are not.......

[Kache]

Obviously you are unaware that Chrome is built on Apple's WebKit virtual engine. Without WebKit as the underpining environment Chrome could not exist. I'm no fan of the Apple cult, but thems the facts. In fact, Chrome is built on Webkit the same way Safari is built on WebKit. What is suprising is that Chrome did not use, or perfect, the virtual engine Mozilla environment. I guess even Google knows a fraud when they see it.

[truth101]

..the iphone and ATT are still in a Delta situation
but presenting TEST DUMMIES with a product as if it were 100 percent. THIS IS
CALLED FRAUD.....A 5 LETTER WORD understandable by even very thick and slow people.
JOBS AND THE TEST DUMMIES is a good title for a Sat Night Live Skit......but then again
Apple spends a lot on tv advertising doesn't it?

[zaron5551]

it's fast and i like how it looks, but I already have Opera looking almost exactly like it and Opera has adblock