Google Chrome is the Talk of the Web
On Wednesday of this week, Google released a new browser called Chrome. It is fast, intuitive and packed with features that take advantage of recent Internet and browser innovations. Given its feature set and Google pedigree, web-o-philes everywhere were downloading it and talking about it only moments after its release. In today’s Eye on the Web, join me as I share my thoughts on Google’s new browser.
Fast and Stable
The first time I used Chrome I noticed that it loads web pages extremely fast. According to the developers, this is because they built Chrome different from other browsers. Foundational to Chrome is the concept of “multiple processes.” Each time Chrome renders an HTML page, executes JavaScript, runs a Java application, plays a Flash movie, etcetera it treats these tasks as separate processes with each having its own memory and its own resources. This segmentation means things happen much faster when you pull up a web page. This concept is further extended with each tab or window being a separate “process” too. This means if one of your tabs “hangs” or crashes, then your other tabs will still function properly.
Borrowing from the Best
Rather than “reinventing the wheel”, Chrome integrates some of the best features from other browsers (this list courtesy ZDNet):
- Web Speed Dial – Taking a cue from the Opera browser, Chrome’s ‘start page’ displays up to nine thumbnails of the websites you visit most.
- Open Source – Chrome is open source in a manner similar to Firefox.
- Browse Incognito – Opening a window in “incognito” mode allows you to browse the web without Chrome recording your activities. A similar feature appears in Safari and is due out in IE8.
- Auto Completing Toolbar – Chrome’s toolbar auto-completes in a manner similar to newer web browsers.
Run Web Apps Like Software on your Computer
Are there web applications that you frequently use such as Gmail, Facebook or a game? Chrome lets you create “application shortcuts” for these web applications. Application shortcuts function as shortcuts on your desktop that allow you to load your web app like it’s software you’ve installed on your computer.
In other words, if you use Gmail, you can create an application shortcut that will load it up in a trimmed down Chrome window. Without the additional clutter of the browser interface, you’ll feel like you’re using Outlook or some other desktop email client.
My First Thoughts: With a few improvements, It will be a keeper
Chrome is currently in beta, and based on my experiences this tends to show. Despite the fact that I mentioned its speed and stability, Chrome does still crash and hang at times. Every time I open it up, it’s like it’s teasing me with the possibilities. However after a couple of minutes, I find that it slows or hangs on a web form, and I have to shut it down and fire up Firefox. Despite all this, I will eagerly follow Chrome’s progress. Once it gets out of beta I imagine it may become my favorite browser.
Haven’t tried out Chrome yet? Download Chrome here. Or, if you’ve taken it for a test drive, let me know what you think.
Further Reading and Extras
- Five reasons Chrome will take over the world (ZDNet)
- Five reasons why Chrome will crash and burn (ZDNet)
- A fresh take on the browser (Official Google Blog)
- Google Chrome Comic (drawn by Scott McCloud)
- Chrome Easter Egg: Type “about:internets” from your Chrome address bar (incorporates the Internets and the Series of Tubes memes)
So far I like Chrome – but there are a few things that had to grow on me. As usual Google is not afraid to do things in a different way. It was very hard to get used to browsing without a “home” button at the top, but I really like the “bookmarks” bar at the top upon startup.
I have also encountered a few sites (live.com among others) that do not recognize the browser as standard. It prompts a download for Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox. I’m sure it will be corrected as the release is only a beta version.
@Matt D. – Thanks for dropping by.
My brother and I were commenting that one of the big things that Chrome has going for it is that familiar look-and-feel of a Google application. We figure that will make it an easy buy in for the masses who already use Google products.
Great info, Michael, thanks. To Matt D. I would say, there’s an option in Chrome where you can add a “Home” button. I did and it works great. Just click on the little wrench icon in the upper right corner and select “Options.” The on the first tab under “Home Page” check “Show Home button on the toolbar.”