02.09.08
Matt
Google to release their Chrome browser
Today, Google is going to release their stab at a web browser. It’s called Chrome and it’s based on Webkit, the same engine that runs Apple’s Safari browser (which, in theory, should mean that testing sites doesn’t get any more complicated). It also includes bits of Mozilla’s Firefox. God bless open source! The question is, do we really need another browser in the mix?
Well, Chrome does seem to have a few new tricks up it’s sleeve that may just make it worth a download. The two features it’s shouting about are;
- Isolated process tabs (so if a site freezes in one tab it doesn’t take the whole browser down, amongst other advantages)
- Google Gears built in (see Jamie’s previous post on Gears)
But the thing that I’m interested in seeing is the interface. In true Google fashion they are promising a simplistic approach very much like their iconic search home page. But will this turn people off (especially the power-user) or, as they are hoping, will it be as small a distraction as possible from what the user is really wanting to see… the content?
The Windows version should be released today with Mac and Linux version following soon. You can find out more at the Google Blog. Also, somewhat unusually, they’ve released a Google Chrome comic to tell the story behind this new browser.
