Google watchdog Phillipp Lessen has scanned and posted a printed comic he says he received in the mail from Google today describing the company's forthcoming open source browser Chrome. The link to Chrome is currently a 404. Lessen's slide show is loading very, very slow. We've got another copy of it that loads much faster here. Long rumored to be in the works, this appears to be the first formal acknowledgment that Google really is working on its own browser - and it looks very cool.
Will you drop Firefox and use Chrome instead? Take a look at what the Google browser will offer - we're pretty interested in it.
Chrome is being framed as a browser for applications instead of just web pages. Here's what Google thinks that should look like.
These are just a few of the new features and strategies you'll see applied in Chrome. There's no mention of when it will be available, but we'll be watching closely. For now, check out Lessen's post for more details and discussion. Here is that faster version of the slide show comic book.
Chrome looks pretty hot to us; it seems to include many state of the art details and several things that will push the envelope. Google, and millions of us, may love Firefox - but that's no reason to stop innovating elsewhere.
EDITOR'S UPDATE: we've been all over this story for the past few days, so here is a summary of our coverage so far:
- Video of Google Chrome Announcement
- Chrome: Test it With Us Live (check out Sarah Perez's screencast, with input from all the RWW team)
- Does Google Have Rights to Everything You Send Through Chrome? (great discussion happening in the comments of this one)
- Serious Security Flaw in Google Chrome (it's not all good news, it seems)
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Sweet! I will definitely try this!
Posted by: Sarah Perez
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September 1, 2008 10:01 AM
working on a slideshow of the images that will load faster
Posted by: Marshall Kirkpatrick
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September 1, 2008 10:07 AM
I think it all depends on how this is distributed. It sounds genuinely great and all - and to be clear, it's a way to promote Gears and related tech - but unless it's mainstream, it's just another fractured platform.
Posted by: Ben Werdmuller
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September 1, 2008 10:13 AM
Sorry for the slow loading before, I did some optimizations and it should now be faster...
Posted by: Philipp Lenssen | September 1, 2008 10:44 AM
I wonder how happy Mozilla is to hear this considering the lucrative deal they have with Google. If Google can get close to Firefox's market share, it's sure to affect their financial relationship.
Posted by: chris | September 1, 2008 10:46 AM
I am intrigued by this and will definitely try it.
Posted by: mattb4rd | September 1, 2008 11:08 AM
Google surely moves around on every aspect of the web these days.
Posted by: reality-world | September 1, 2008 11:11 AM
To me it does not seem right. Seems like they will drop the bombshell in a day or two and will tell that it is a browser for Android.
Posted by: Varun Mahajan | September 1, 2008 11:21 AM
wow i hope its better than firefox
Posted by: sandman | September 1, 2008 11:37 AM
Did Google fund Mozilla (firefox) as something of an advance team for their own browser? We have sketchy info but it appears Google built its browser on an another frame (Webkit) but did borrow features from firefox. I'm fine with this new browser from Google so long as it is W3C compliant (which we trust will happen). My fear is that Google ramps up browser market share then rams new standards down our throats so web developers have to go back and alter the code of old sites ... a disaster. Hope that is irrational fear on my end.
Posted by: Joe | September 1, 2008 11:40 AM
Wow, I just looked through all the slides. Totally sweet! Some serious engineering in there, I'm glad someone decided to really rethink browser architecture.
Posted by: jack | September 1, 2008 12:15 PM
In the OTHER NEWS, apparently the only thing that 'breaks' on chrome is the Adblock! ;)
Posted by: Vinod | September 1, 2008 12:53 PM
In designing websites, I’ve always consider the many, cluttered rows of the chrome as part of the page’s UI. Thus, we’ve moved away from tabs at the top of the page to simple menus on the left (see http://tEarn.com). Google Chrome is cleaning up the mess, replacing the search/URL/address with an omni-box. Great move.
Further, an automated iGoogle/myYahoo makes a lot of sense.
KIS.
Posted by: Dash Chang | September 1, 2008 2:55 PM
"Will you drop Firefox and use Chrome instead? "
No.
First off, Google continues their Windows bias (the build tomorrow will be Windows only... they're 'hard at work' on Mac and Linux builds).
Secondly, I use addons to customize what my browser does. Thats the real strength of Firefox for me.
Third, I'll have to see how it works on a wide variety of sites, not just Google sites.
Will I look at it when they finally deliver a Mac version? Sure. For one, I'll need to see how existing sites that I've built behave.
In fact, that's another issue - Google doesn't get a free pass - we need to hammer them on standards compliance from XHTML to CSS and even things like accessibility.
Posted by: rick | September 1, 2008 4:13 PM
This is going to flop. Think Lively.
Posted by: Joe Mangrove | September 1, 2008 4:27 PM
Exciting news. It'll be great to try the product. I like the idea of using the comic for the introduction. But, um, what's up with the style? It looks like one of those jesus comics that people used to hand out on the streets of Berkeley. "Timmy drank too much, he was burning bridges with friends and family, but then he found Google Chrome and everything was alright. Join Timmy in spreading the word! Would you like to know more? etc. "
Posted by: cantwaittotryit | September 1, 2008 4:33 PM
Just went through the slides (not all of them, from 30 to end I got a connection timeout)
It looks really interesting. I thought Google was happy with Firefox but I guess I was wrong. The idea is good: Web sites are not pages but applications. Browsers should be fast and secure. We all agree here.
Technically I didn't get much satisfaction nor did I see any obvious innovation.
1. Tab-oriented, multi-process design.
2.Javascript is served by a JIT compiler. They run faster but they start up slower. Would be good to see the final approach.
Anyway, I liked the 'security' references in Google's presentation: facebook ("send a gift and keep it a secret") and windows vista. Google can be evil sometimes!
Posted by: panos | September 1, 2008 4:48 PM
Just went through the Google blog. They hit the 'Send' button early. Here is the link to the Chrome comic book:
http://books.google.com/books?id=8UsqHohwwVYC&printsec=frontcover#PPA1,M1
Posted by: panos | September 1, 2008 4:54 PM
@rick: What the heck are you going on about? This browser is based on webkit, the most standards compliant renderer out there (and the only one with 100% scores on both ACID2 and ACID3).
Posted by: Nick | September 1, 2008 5:00 PM
Lenssen has posted screenshots from the Gears page (which appears to be offline now), and I was qiute intrigued by one aspect - how many times Orkut appears in those screenshots! First OpenSocial, now this... it seems as though Google hasn't given up on Orkut, but I'm still not sure what exactly their strategy is.
@rick & Nick: I think rick was talking about Google's adherence to standards in their own applications. You're quite right that WebKit is one of the best engines out there.
@panos: I want to see the multi-process design in action... I remember running separate IE processes before IE had tabs, and it was awful. This obviously will have better memory management, but with automatic session restore in Opera, I haven't really seen the need for this level of memory control.
Posted by: theharmonyguy | September 1, 2008 6:04 PM
Google is my preferred search engine. After reading this comic form of their new offering in the browser field. I am impressed with the innovation they are bringing. I am excited that they are finding ways to add speed, security, usability, and other benefits to internet browsing. Thanks Google. Let us encourage developers to build on great ideas and find improvements for the positive and solutions for the negative. We all depend on innovation! The future depends on innovation.
Posted by: Dave | September 1, 2008 6:44 PM
Google is trying to become Microsoft on the internet. Can this new browser will compete with firefox and ie. or Google has just trying to find a new way to collect internet users information for displaying ads on their browser. recently google is struggling to stop threats that are spread using the google adsense and google adwords.
Why Google is not looking into quality why they are trying to enter into so many verticals. some days back their Hosted services goes down.
Posted by: Ajay Pathak | September 1, 2008 8:03 PM
I enjoyed reading your blog, and I agree with everything you say…
Posted by: emedical | September 1, 2008 10:55 PM
Google Chrome taking on Windows OS, as many pundits declared already?
Unfortunately we have seen that movie some years ago. Remember the web-surfing appliances of yesteryear like Sony eVilla or 3Com Audrey and Kerbango? How about Compaq iPaq or Netpliance I-opener? Didn't think so:
Why Google Chrome is not a "Windows Killer"
http://counternotions.com/2008/09/02/chrome/
Posted by: Kontra | September 1, 2008 11:30 PM
I would be very anxious if I would work for the Mozilla Foundation. Is theres still future for Firefox beside this new browser?
And I dont get it why it is good for us, that a media giant (Google) is going to kill market after market on the Internet?
For example, did you noticed, that the development of Picasa is pretty slow lately? Why would they bother to improve if they already have the market?
I dont know, I dont feel great after this news.
Posted by: Endre Jofoldi | September 2, 2008 12:52 AM
I don´t think Chrome is going to fade firefox succes. It could be, instead, the first popular, mainstream for non-geek people browser after IE. Microsoft and not Mozilla is the main competitor.
Posted by: dreig | September 2, 2008 2:34 AM
for everybody who is really lazy and prefers reading a comic on the toilet, here is a printable ebook PDF http://www.facesaerch.com/blog/download-google-chrome-comic-as-ebook-pdf/
Posted by: Franz | September 2, 2008 2:55 AM
I find this worrying rather than exciting.
The 'omnibar'is taken straight from Opera - nothing new and innovative there. Same with custom search, speed dial and auto complete in the address bar.
And their blasé attitude to standards stinks. It seems that they can't make their web apps to standards which will work on any browser that's standards compliant so they'll build their own browser instead.
Not impressed.
Posted by: Tom | September 2, 2008 4:33 AM
Yet another competitor in browsers war. I am curiously waiting for Chrome to download and install on my laptop. If it offers good speed and effective memory usage compared to FF (right now FF on my laptop consumed 130 MB of memory with just 3 tabs open!!), I will sure make chrome as my default browser. Let's see..
Posted by: Pavan Gayakwad | September 2, 2008 8:42 AM
When we build websites now, we have to validate they appear correctly on both Firefox and IE. Now we have to worry about an open source dynamic browser? Great.
Nice article though. I'm going to go look at the picture you posted later on.
Posted by: Mr. Unloadingzone | September 2, 2008 8:52 AM
No, you just have to validate against Webkit. Did you not read the comic?
Posted by: Jeffrey Mcmanus | September 2, 2008 9:12 AM
I'm very Disappointed that Google’s Chrome browser does not support MathML (Math Markup Language). Mozilla’s Firefox does!!
Posted by: Dr. Bob | September 2, 2008 2:01 PM
@Nick....
And every webkit implementation renders the same, right? Oh hold it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurafire/2822606444/
"Sadly, it seems the Webkit build that Google Chrome uses has been mutilated to an extent: the text-shadow property has been stripped out (Why?!) and, worse, the CSS border-radius rendering is not anti-aliased (Why?!?!)."
Now, about those standards...
Posted by: rick | September 2, 2008 2:56 PM
Oh one more thing... that 100/100 ACID3 result you mentioned?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurafire/2822630544/
Yeah....
Posted by: rick | September 2, 2008 2:58 PM
Well for everyone there who is thrilled about the new browser I just want to say stick to Firefox the only true open source browser. Google is the next Microsoft of the internet. The entire application is basically ripped off Firefox. They claimed to use "some" features but even the bookmarks dialog is the same !!! This is a cheap shot at Firefox from Google in an attempt to better promote their ads. Unfortunately, this might be adopted by many users bringing the internet to the control of another corporate giant. Bottom Line: "Google has gone EVIL"
Posted by: Peter | September 2, 2008 4:00 PM
For some reason my gut loomed with despair upon reading about chrome.
Posted by: Nietzsche | September 2, 2008 5:13 PM
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
Posted by: Farhan | September 2, 2008 8:59 PM
I have installed Google Chrome and found browsing fun with its simple Gtalk like Simplicity. I'll stick with FireFox for now until Chrome gets some useful plugins to enhance it.
Read more below
http://www.iwebie.com/googles-chrome-browser-the-iefirefox-killer
Posted by: iwebie | September 3, 2008 12:29 AM
More info about Googles Chrome
http://megawallpapers.info/?p=23
Posted by: jim | September 3, 2008 12:34 AM
My biggest issue with Firefox is that I find it slow, I also find that it uses a stupid amount of memory over time. I'm writing this comment in Chrome for two reasons: it's fast, much faster than FF on websites with heavy references to CSS and Javascript, and having put it through its paces I have failed to crash the application; something I can do without much effort in FF.
Posted by: Jimbo | September 3, 2008 12:56 AM
Google’s Chrome is aimed at Windows, not IE
I've covered this in detail on my blog
http://sachendra.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/googles-chrome-is-aimed-at-windows-not-ie/
Posted by: Sachendra Yadav | September 3, 2008 1:44 AM
Great browser, but not that great for a powerhouse like Google. One great feature in Firefox is the NoScript add on, block unwanted ads, pop ups, and tracking tools used by Google. Maybe these technologies were why Google decided to create its own browser as it posed a direct threat to the primary revenue stream. Look forward to others thoughts.
Posted by: Foil | September 3, 2008 4:18 AM
Who believes Google? They just made a browser and will collect the data of users. Google enters to all our life. I will not support this browser.
Posted by: SEO Blog | September 3, 2008 7:36 AM
Whats wrong with you guys ? Google Chrome has 2 very very important security holes. Which can let some bad webmasters upload exe files to your computers without your prompt !! Go ahead and continue loving Google Chrome. When your computer suddenly shuts down and when you realize all your data is gone dont blame anybody but Google Chrome..
go and read http://www.computersake.com/2008/09/google-chrome-security-hole/ and be aware of that kind of security issues !!!
Posted by: Brandon Miles | September 3, 2008 12:48 PM
After using Google's new browser Chrome, I must say I'm dissapointed. I know they are recreating the browser but that doesn't mean removing what makes it easy to use! check out this comparison http://chrome-vs-firefox.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Steve | September 3, 2008 9:17 PM
After using Google's new browser Chrome, I must say I'm dissapointed. I know they are recreating the browser but that doesn't mean removing what makes it easy to use! check out this comparison http://chrome-vs-firefox.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Steve | September 3, 2008 9:21 PM
What do you mean it has no find feature ? It has one of the best find features and it highlights all the results :)
Posted by: Peter | September 4, 2008 2:54 AM
I have found an interesting post on Google Chrome with test results pros and cons. Check this out http://www.hurricanesoftwares.com/google-chrome-a-revolutionary-web-browser-or-is-it/
I hope it will help!
Cheers
Posted by: Michael | September 4, 2008 3:40 AM
It seems like companies that want to be the platform for Desktop Web Applications need to implement a fast JavaScript engine.
http://blog.emson.co.uk/2008/09/chrome-is-a-desktop-web-application-platform/
Ben...
Posted by: Ben | September 4, 2008 8:14 AM
chrome is rly good contender in browser wars
found intersting site 4 gud discusion on chrome http://chrometalk.info/
Posted by: ChromeTalk.info | September 5, 2008 6:47 AM
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