Google has just announced the first official beta versions of Google Chrome, its browser, for Mac and Linux. As of now, these versions are only available in the developer channel, which is Google's cutting edge, rapid-release channel for Google Chrome that is geared towards developers and testers, but not the mainstream public.
For now, Google is actually asking users not to download Chrome for the Mac and Linux just yet, unless they are ready to be disappointed. If you're brave though, here is the download link.
We have regularly tested Chromium builds for the Mac in the last few weeks, and they have definitely become a lot more stable over time, though you still won't be able to see any Adobe Flash content. Chromium is the open source project behind Chrome and the V8 JavaScript engine.
Overall, while it is nice to see that Google is ready to show some official Chrome builds for Mac and Linux, if our own experience with Chromium is any indication, this release will be fast and usable - but chances are that it will also crash regularly. As this is a dev channel release, Google will probably push out an update at least once a week, and it will be interesting to watch how the development progresses.
Google has clearly started to make some in-roads with Chrome. Here at RWW, about 8% of all our visitors use Chrome (up from around 6% in January). From what we can see, it has mostly taken away user share from Firefox, which is interesting, given the close relationship between Mozilla and Google. Given how many RWW readers use Macs (about 20% of you), we expect Chrome's percentage to go up quickly on our site and others like it.
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As excited as I am about Google products. I'm actually pretty happy with my Firefox. Although I can't wait to test out Wave.
Might be nice if they fixed the bugs in the Windows version first. Something tells me, the average Linux user doesn't care because Google is to big and Evil. Mac users, well, they are their own breed. Most of them tout Safari as the best browser ever invented.
I don't think it's surprising that Mozilla share of market is benefiting Chrome market share. People who install FF are more likely to install a non-default browser than others; they're more likely to try things out.
I'm looking forward to the Chrome release becasue Firefox is _really_slow_ on my Ubuntu eeePC.
Before you are ready to develop overseas markets, you may consider that which country is the biggest import country of my products? And which country is the new emerging market from where I can win great profit?
Below sample can show you how to use China National Statistics in TPal system to analysis out big import country, and new emerging market. I take slate for example:
Input HS Code 25140000 for Slate in China National Stat.
By clicking SEARCH button, on the left side will come out monthly imported Value, Weight, Unit and Quantity of global countries. From the data, you will know global countries import activities in each month:
After you have an over view of global countries’ import activities for slate, let’s find out the biggest imported countries and emerging market.
There is a Create chart button, and when I clicked Create chart (VAL/COUNTRY), Create chart (WEIGHT/COUNTRY), there comes out two Reports.
http://www.customs-data.com.cn/PIACAGUERA/
From the chart by WEIGHT, it is very easy to know that, United States is the biggest imported country for slate, then UK, Spain, Vietnam, Taiwan are top ten import countries.
By comparing Imported WEIGHT and VALUE, we can find that, the weight Singapore imported is less than United States, UK, Taiwan, Vietnam, and even Spain, Japan. But the ranking of total imported VALUE is just below United States, ranks second. And as we know that, new emerging markets always have the best price.
From above analysis, Singapore is the new emerging market for slate, and the market demand will continuous growth until the price is flat with other countries. But now, you can make a larger profit in Singapore.
Even if these countries are big importers for slate from China, but China is one of the biggest exporters, which means these countries are really in a large demand for slate. So they are just your target markets.
http://www.customs-data.com.cn/SHANDONG/
Nice to see this that chrome is now available for linux and mac.
Cool, I'm gonna download it now. I've been testing Chromium as well (see my blog post here) and it was pretty fast, althought it was an early build.
Let's see how good this Beta is.
Hello,
I am using Chrome in WindowsXP, its quite good but I have found some bugs as well as reported to Google Chrome Developer but not fixed yet. Why they are making for different platform and not resolving previous platform problems.
ive been waiting for this for a while. it may be a dev build but it looks soooooooo good on mac. can't wait to try it on ubuntu when i get home
I'd love to test it on Mac. I know something will go wrong, but still it's in beta version.
Replacing Microsoft IE by Google Chrome is like casting out devils by Beelzebub.
I used to love firefox until version 3...firefox is just getting too big and bloaty. Its too bad too because it WAS such a great browser. It bogged down my web browsing a bit, so I started using safari (macbook 2.4ghz, 4gb ram, 320gbhd) and although it was much better, I found safari was too plain and simple. Low and behold I check out Opera and I am very pleased with it. I will try Chrome when it is released because I was impressed with the windows version but for now Opera is it, hands down.
Chrome 2.x for Windows is still buggy. And Chrome 1.x was more user friendly.
Firefox 3.x works much better for me.
But I would surely give a try for Chrome on my GNU/Linux box.
That's pretty crazy it would seem that a company like Google would not release software like that.
Taiwan, Vietnam, and even Spain, Japan. But the ranking of total imported VALUE is just below United States, ranks second. And as we know that, new emerging markets always have the best price
I can't quite agree with the following quote:
"Might be nice if they fixed the bugs in the Windows version first. Something tells me, the average Linux user doesn't care because Google is to big and Evil. Mac users, well, they are their own breed. Most of them tout Safari as the best browser ever invented."
There are a number of quotes here I completely disagree with. None more so than the one above!
For a start google aren't stupid. As windows and mac/linux both use different programming languages they will have different developers!
Also I don't understand when Firefox became bloaty. It just keeps getting better! btw Anything beats IE! Also can't see why people dont set Firefox as a default browser. Most people I know regardless of OS have Firefox as a default.
On to my main issue...I switched from Windows because Vista is shockingly awful! I now use a Mac! Mac users are not there own breed, and certainly not of snobs like most Windows elites (which do exist - no you can't just hide under the "oh, yeah Joe Bloggs uses it") seem to instantly believe. Can we just lose the stupid stigma that goes with owning a Mac?! If you have an issue, why don't you TRY using a Mac.
As for safari I use if as an alternative browser hardly ever! I personally don't like it. So don't claim Mac users just tout safari. Not true! I am actually a Firefox beta tester! Even before this I never really used safari. First thing I done was get Firefox!
Yay! I can't wait till Google Chrome for Mac becomes stable. I will definitely replace Mozilla Firefox with Google Chrome as the default browser on my iMac once it is stabilized.
Chrome is fast indeed. But for me, as a developer I still prefer FireFox and won't change any time soon.
FWIW I ran the test myself and it is quite a difference i.e. 4304 vs 237 for 64bit chrome vs firefox 3.0.11.
So, when for example Chrome introduces further productivity enablers (such as the the extra features that FF plugins give me) then it would be obvious to move to Chrome - till then I have to wait till another reason such as demanding applications presents itself as just cause.
Good to see FFox getting some competition - we all benefit.
Exactly what Ed Daniel said.
I'd love to test it on Mac. I know something will go wrong, but still it's in beta version.
I love Google Chrome. It's my favorite browser, I prefer it over any other.