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September 2, 2008
Google OS Arrives, In the Form of a Browser
Rumors of a "Google Operating System" have been around for a few years now, fueled by Google's expansion into e-mail, analytics, desktop search, Web applications, pizza delivery...well, maybe not that.
Today, Google has made a significant step toward becoming a Web-based operating system by launching a beta version of the open-source Google Chrome browser, which has been optimized to run Web applications rather than simply rendering HTML on a page.
"All of us at Google spend much of our time working inside a browser. We search, chat, email and collaborate in a browser. And in our spare time, we shop, bank, read news and keep in touch with friends -- all using a browser. Because we spend so much time online, 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."
Chrome's main features include a beefed-up Javascript engine (aka V8), which will improve performance of AJAX apps like Gmail and Google Docs. It also offers better memory allocation, and an architecture that keeps apps running in separate windows as isolated processes -- so a crashed app won't bring down the browser, and security is markedly improved.
The browser includes its own URL box, which Google is calling the "Omnibox." It incorporates features from Google Suggest, browser history and search history.
As with the Google Toolbar before it, Chrome will also present an opportunity for Google to collect more user behavioral data. On the plus side, that could help Google develop better Web analytics applications. More cynically, Google can also take this mountain of user data and use it to better monetize its ad platforms.
While this move can be seen as a challenge to Microsoft on the browser front, it's more of a threat to Microsoft's Windows operating system. By developing its own open-source browser, Google is able to establish de-facto standards for Web applications.
Combined with Google Gears coming at Web applications from the developer side, and there's not much use for a desktop operating system any more.
Posted by Kevin Newcomb on September 2, 2008 9:31 AM
Comments
Forshizel my nizel September 2, 2008 5:23 PM
I have tested this for the last 4 hours, it's definitely faster than Firefox, and significantly faster than IE.
As with any beta, it has a few bugs. An RSS feed opened as a text file, while facebook pics would randomly skip to the beginning.
Besides the growing pains, I think it was seamless to import all my bookmarks, password, form info from Firefox.
I guess the only think I miss from Firefox was the Google toolbar. I hope they launch a toolbar for their own browser soon.
Sameer Khandelwal September 2, 2008 5:47 PM
" More cynically, Google can also take this mountain of user data and use it to better monetize its ad platforms" -
doh ! do ya reckon ? Since when did Google ever do anything that wasn't connected with making more money ?
david Rankin September 2, 2008 5:48 PM
Question is will Chrome adhere to W3C standards, or will it literally rewrite the standards book?
Don September 2, 2008 6:03 PM
I think this the time of IE browsers to give-up, better not launch their IE8
My Tojo September 2, 2008 9:43 PM
may i know that from where can i download this browser so that i can also know how this is faster than firefox n IE. I think opera is much better than all these. just try n tell that it is much better isn't??
Shailendra Singh September 3, 2008 4:41 AM
Google, Don't forget your Mac users!
Lee Nelson September 3, 2008 11:29 AM
Every time a browser producer assumes they can use their own 'de facto' standards, internet development has been seriously crippled for years.
Remember Netscape and the early IEs and the problems they created for developers who couldn't depend on any popular browser to produce their code consistently?
Things that have been possible for years were not implemented because browsers were incompatible. Only now are Microsoft taking on the challenge of making their browsers compatible with standards, and Firefox still has incompatible features and quirks.
Throw in some Google quirks and we can kiss all that progress goodbye. They're way too arrogant as a company to be expected to follow a 'real' standard. Even the Google basic homepage has 74 W3C validation errors!
Dave September 4, 2008 10:25 PM
I downloaded Chrome and used it once. Seriously, it does not look too compelling to use the new browser yet. I will still stick to firefox since I am addicted to some cool tools designed for firefox.
Rapidshare Guru September 7, 2008 3:02 AM
google charme still a baby I will stay with firefox, it still better choise
fadi March 15, 2009 8:31 AM
Omni? Chrome? Where did they come up with these names. JUST got the install file for chrome and can't wait to check it out. My loyalty with regards to browsers is zero, nothing, notta.
Whatever works best for my needs, then I'm using it. I can care less if G, Y or MSN develop it.
Starting it up now...