Google Chrome Review

Well, Google has made it’s entry into the browser wars with “Google Chrome”.  It’s created quite a buzz; people have been downloading it out faster than a blink of the eye.  The web has evolved from offering up mainly text pages to rich and interactive apps and the browsers haven’t kept up, at least in Google’s eyes. Google says that Chrome promises a faster, safer and easier browsing experience.

Here are a few of the key features:

• Open source
• Streamlined and simple interface - everything is in one box.
• Application shortcuts - web applications can be used without opening the browser.
• Crash control - each tab runs independently in the browser; if one tab crash, the whole browser won’t.
• Dynamic tabs - individual tabs can be dragged out into new windows.
• Importing settings - retrieves bookmarks and passwords from your existing browser
• Incognito mode - private browsing available (no web history tracking),
• Instant bookmarks - click the star icon at the left edge of the address bar and you’re done.
• New tab page - displays thumbnail images of your most visited sites.
• Safe browsing - you are warned in advance of suspected phishing, malware or otherwise unsafe sites.
• Simpler downloads - no download manager, status monitored at the bottom of your current window

Currently Chrome is available in beta only for Windows (Vista & XP SP2), but versions for Mac and Linux are in the works.

The installation was easy and straightforward. When the browser opens, the New Tab page opens with thumbnail images of my most visited sites and a list of recent bookmarks.  I kind of missed my default home page, but that was easily restored; click on the wrench icon at the top, select Options, open the Basics tab, and change the home page back to my original default. Sweet!

Aside from getting acquainted with the icons, it was easy navigate the browser. The text links and icons that we’ve grown so accustomed over the years are now in a pull down menu adjacent to the address bar.  The browser footprint is much smaller than other browsers, leaving more real estate for viewing web pages.

All in all, the browsing experience is very good.  It’ll take more time with the browser to fully get used to it, but I think Google has a winner.  Once it comes out of beta, Google Chrome will give the other browsers a run for their money. And being open source, we can look forward to many interesting innovations to come.

Here’s a link where you can download it and try it out yourself: Download Google Chrome

I’m very interested in hearing what you think of Chrome. Anyone care to comment?

Glenn Andrew

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