Google’s Chrome

It has been awhile since we last heard about browser war. IE seemed content with a steady share coming as it did with Windows OS.

Google on the other hand promoted Firefox, which for many has been a delight, what with open source configuration that saw hundreds of nifty extensions that made browsing a pleasure.

Good things however seldom last long. In this case Firefox now has a new competition from its erstwhile backer, Google.

Chrome, Google’s own product, has debuted last week to much less fanfare than what it was when Gmail came into being.

Chrome takes on not only IE and Firefox, but also to lesser extent Apple’s Safari and Opera, the last 2 having several pockets of popularity.

I’ve made this small video below for my 2WebVideo site that highlights parts of Google’s Chrome.

I’ve been using it since it debuted, and though there are some irritants like no separate search box – you need to type search terms in the address bar itself – and the search opening only in Google, I still like Chrome with many other innovative features.

Any new product launch means the company devotes its commensurate resources to maintain and innovate it. I therefore do not subscribe to the oft-repeated idea that Chrome is not necessarily an offspring Google wants to pursue vigorously.

Google doesn’t fail to surprise the people who have direct or indirect stakes in it. Its financial results after going public have consistently been wonders except perhaps the somewhat dull last quarter (Q2/08) figures.

To my mind there is no reason why Chrome won’t become yet another blockbuster from the search giant’s stable. Until then let the roving eyes pick up signals, subtle or pronounced, that tell tale(s) about the browser’s future.

The image at the top is inspired from this excellent creation.