Finally Google launched a browser entitled as Google Chrome. Whenever Google offers something to us, it has to be useful, user-friendly, application-packed and experience-enhancing. Although, Google Chrome doesn’t really have many applications that we have been so used to using in Firefox, it definitely has something for me to go back to it- its lightening-fast speed, it serves the page faster than any other browsers I have used so far. With a file size of only 7MB it’s pretty quick to download and install as well. Better still, I can see things more organized in it. Google Chrome is a Beta Version, and I’m sure Google will soon add more applications for an enhanced experience.
What’s might be on your mind is whether Google Chrome will be able to surpass Firefox. It’s easy to say NO. But we will have wait and see how Google is improving its new browser to include all the features that we usually find in Firefox. There is an option in Google Chrome that allows users to import all the bookmarks from Firefox, but strangely, they didn’t show up when I installed it. Another upsetting thing about Google Chromes is only meant for Windows Vista/XP users. However, I’m sure Google Chrome will soon have a solution to this problem.
I have come across a nice article that talks about ten questions you might have about Google Chrome. It gives a deep insight into Google vis-à-vis Firefox equation. Do check it out and let me know what your views are on this brand-new browser. By the way, click here if you want to download this new browser.
1 comments:
I like the article, Susant, but I think it reflects the true nature of the Firefox market. My counterargumets to the four reasons:
1) Plays nice with Google Apps: I don't exactly know what is meant by this, but in any case, I would not switch browsers based on the fact that is "plays" with Google apps better. The apps work or they don't. They work in Firefox just as well as Chrome. From a purely practical point of view this is almost cosmetic. Where the app resides is almost entirely inconsequential, and this "feature" could be seen as nothing more than a gimmick to the discerning eye.
2) Google can market Chrome better: This is true. However, the Firefox community are not the type of drones that succumb to mass-marketing. The Firefox user community have a high Linux uptake and browser choice has a more sophisticated calculus. In fact, as Tim points out above (in reason 5), mass marketing and the weight of an industry giant probably hinders uptake by hard core Firefox fans.
3) Chrome is a better browser: This is arguable and highly subjective right now. It may eventually prove a better browser, but that will be determined on sheer technical merit alone to most Firefox fans. Right now it's probably to early to tell, but remember that Chrome is being compared to Firefox, not the other way around. That gives Firefox an incumbent advantage also means inertia is in its favour. That means there would have to be significant technically meritorious features (not gimmicks) in order to challenge Firefox.
4) No one will conquer Microsoft. While this may be true for the forseeable future, I can't see Chrome taking significantly from the Firefox community, but for reasons that you listed above, I can see it taking from the IE market. Google can market well and could take share from IE, but the more discerning netizen will wait until the technical merits have been settled.
I can't see Chrome challenging for Firefox just yet, but maybe taking from IE.
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