Google gets into browsers with Chrome

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Google Chrome was accidentally announced by the early launch of a web comic that was meant to explain the new browser.

Google has made a surprise entry into the web browser market, with the launch of its own browser, called Google Chrome.

The browser is due for beta launch in 100 countries today.

News of the browser was accidentally leaked when a webcomic that was meant as an introduction to the new browser.

In a Google blog posting, Sundar Pichai, VP Product Management, and Linus Upson, Engineering Director commented: “Why are we launching Google Chrome? Because we believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web.

“We began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there. We realized that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser. What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build,” they added.

According to the blog post, Chrome has been designed to be simple to use, with a ‘clean’ interface. The browser will be open source, with Mac and Linux versions to follow.

While Google is already present in many people's web browsers through Google tool bars, or through the iGoogle home page, a dedicated browser would give Google greater visibility among users and allow it to track user browser behaviour. There would also be synergies with its online advertising business.

According to August 2008 figures from Net Applications, Google holds 79% of the global search engine market.

To see the introductory comic, click here.

For more details on Google Chrome, see the itp.net blog.

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Googles Do No Evil
Posted by Zach, Montreal, canada on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 11:14 UAE time


Google Chrome captured 1% market share upon launch, it speaks well of Google strategy. Open source has already allowed various startups we talked too learn from their code and build future systems on their code.

As for Riazu its definately something that can change the dynamics of the Middle East. The service will reduce transaction costs for sure for buying and selling, through the information exchange platform. Another interesting startup for sure !

Is this a response to Cuil
Posted by the beard, toronto, canada on Tuesday 9 September 2008 at 21:59 UAE time


Cuil came up with a different look to the browser, and the brains behind cuil were the team member of google base. Hmm this looks interesting, Google's Chrome seems to be more visually effective and have a new age browser look going on..

theyre re defining the way we browse the web, and it looks cooler too.

Its similar to what Riazu did with the classifieds, they just redefined the way people view classifieds and use them. Initially you had to pay money to put up Ads for stuff to sell in bulky papers, this method would be costly and harmful to the enviornment. Now we have internet classifieds across the Middle East through Riazu.

I like it when people start following Google , Do Good No Evil. Google is open source and promotes the growth of technology through information exchange and thats the best way to go about it

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