GoogleTM: Not to Be Left Out-Creates its Own BrowserSeptember 2008
Google has created another free browser available for download, even though there are already viable alternatives to Microsoft's Internet Explorer. In fact, Google is the largest supporter of the number two browser-Firefox, costing Google tens of millions of dollars a year.
Chrome is a free, almost open-source browser developed by Google. Its source code has two versions: one that Google will maintain and a copy that Google has published. It was developed with the idea that less is more. Chrome is simple, straight-forward and fast.
1. Intended Use: Like all other browsers Chrome is intended to surf the web, but ultimately it will support the next generation of Google's online Web based applications.
2. Additional capabilities: V8 is Google's new JavaScript engine. It was specifically built to address issues with performance concerning complex JavaScript.
3. Technical Benefits: Speed is the big benefit but there are other small advantages such as slightly more screen space, incognito mode (see below) and the ability to have access to the entire code base.
4. Technical Concerns: The biggest concern isn't specifically related to Chrome but there are currently six major browsers that all Web applications need to be tested with (IE6, IE7, IE8, Safari 2.0, FireFox 2.0, Firefox 3.0), adding to an already growing testing nightmare. That being said, Chrome and Safari share the same rendering application framework called WebKit.
Chrome currently works only on the Microsoft Windows platform but likely will be converted to other platforms shortly.
Three other areas of concern (especially for larger companies):
- Google tends to keep its products in beta for long periods of time (sometimes indefinitely) and large companies don't run beta software in production
- Chrome - in its goal of being simple - may be a little too simple. For example, most multi-tab browsers will warn you when you are closing the browser that there are several tabs open - Chrome does not.
- Security is always a concern at larger corporations who usually take a "wait-and-see" approach when evaluating new products. Chrome has a feature called incognito mode which allows a user to browse the Web without leaving behind a trace on the local machine after the browser is closed.
5. Why technologists care: Any software that runs faster and crashes less is always the choice of those who are in control of their environment. If Chrome proves itself against Firefox and IE it could gain market share from those user bases.
6. Alternatives in the marketplace: There are a number of browsers on the market place; many of which most people have heard of, but some most haven't such as Opera, Konqueror and Flock.
John Basso's Bold Predictions: Chrome will remain in beta for several years based on its main goal of supporting Google's next set of online applications. If the development community gets behind Chrome and "finishes" what Google has started by adding support for plug-ins and 3rd party tools, Chrome will erode 20 - 30 percent of the Firefox user base and surpass Safari as the #3 browser by the end of 2009. ****
About Amadeus Consulting
Amadeus Consulting (http://AmadeusConsulting.com) is a custom software development company dedicated to creating intelligent technology solutions with successful business results. We are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, winner of the Microsoft Office XP Challenge, and has Microsoft Partner Competencies in Custom Software and Data Management Solutions. Amadeus Consulting is an expert in custom software applications such as content management systems, e-commerce, surveys, social networking sites, data collection and management, browser plug-ins and many more. For more information, please call us at: 720.564.1231 or go online to http://www.amadeusconsulting.com/Contact-Us.aspx.
Keywords: Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google, Chrome, Internet browsers, Safari
**** This statement reflects an opinion and Amadeus is not liable for any decisions or conclusions made as a result of this statement.