Google Chrome, the comic book (via) Google have finally announced a browser project, though it’s currently vapourware (or rather comicware), existing only as a Scott McCloud comic. Still, it looks fascinating—entirely open source, WebKit with a brand new JavaScript VM, every tab running in a separate process for smarter memory usage and some new UI concepts and anti-pishing measures thrown in as well.
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Can I be the Opera fanboy and point out that Opera has had several of these "new" UI concepts for a while? :)
The browser that can't get no respect aside, I am personally rather leery of Chrome... Google already has so much control/access with user data as it is.
And I must admit I was surprised by WebKit, but upon further reflection/reading, it does actually make sense.
Joey: Since Chrome will be open source, can't someone just maintain a fork with all the questionable parts -- if any, of course -- taken out?
@Jesper: Good point. Though mainstream users probably wouldn't use the fork... but since it's open source, anyone would be able to see exactly what info goes to Google.
Which then begs the question, why exactly is Google lauching this (along with several other of their open source projects)? Answering MS-friendly features in IE8 is certainly a valid point, but still doesn't seem like enough to me. And Google is a business - I don't believe it when people say these kind of projects are simply benevolent.
Actually, it's not vaporware; they're launching it tomorrow for Windows. See http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take- on-browser.html
Taking bets on how long it takes the community to port it to OSX :)
@Jesper, Google has an entire infrastructure built around the web, it's in their best interests to ensure the continuing viability of it as a software platform.
Whilst they may make no money from Chrome itself I'm sure they stand to make a heck of a lot as a consequence of it.
Andrew Ingram - 2nd September 2008 08:50 - #
Its very interesting that Google has decided to take on a project like this. They obviously have such an interest in how people access the web, it was only a matter of time before they took things into their own hands. It is going to be very interesting to see how this pans out.
Google Chrome browser Screenshots
http://www.tonesall.com/computers-internet/google- chrome-screenshots.html
Farhan - 2nd September 2008 09:22 - #
Andrew Ingram: I'm not for or against them, and I never said there'd be or wouldn't be such hooks. (I can't actually tell if I'm being pointed as adopting any such theories, but it's best to be clear.)
I'd prefer if Google made money as a consequence of the web being more widely in use, of course, since a rising tide lifts all boats. Furthermore, I really do believe that Google's doing this to improve the reputation of "web apps". Even if anyone thinks they're more sinister than that, it's certainly enough motivation for them to do it -- it'd be sure to lift *their* boat.
When you realise you have have in your employ a significant number of web experts, many of whom cut good code and have written browser internals before, and would love the chance to "do it right", and are allowed to do their own projects... it's just going to happen isn't it?!
Mark S - 3rd September 2008 10:35 - #
if anyone takes a hit from Chrome getting released it will be Firefox
media boy - 3rd September 2008 21:27 - #
Being I'm a very Google friendly guy, I was excited about Chrome, until I found out the ugly news that Chrome's EULA "lets Google use any of your copyrighted material posted to the web via Chrome without paying you a cent". That's very disturbing to me.
The EULA problem is being resolved - as I suspected, it was accidental boiler-plate text: http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-chrome-licens e-agreement/