Google to Launch Webkit Based Web Browser Called 'Chrome' [Available]
Google announced today that they would be releasing a new open source web browser called Google Chrome. The new browser will be available for download as a beta starting tomorrow.
Google states that the reason for a new web browser is that the company believes that it "can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web." The new browser is said to be "streamlined and simple" and "clean and fast". The underlying rendering engine is based on Webkit which is also used by Apple's Safari.
Other features were revealed in a comic book that detailed the new browser. Features include:
- New JavaScript engine called V8 for faster performance
- "Special tabs" above the window, not below the address bar (see image above)
- Address bar auto-completion
- Opera-like "Speed Dial" with thumbnails of your most visited 9 websites
- Privacy mode
- Web apps can be launched in their own window without addressbar/toolbar
The entire comic book is published at AllThingsD.com.
The browser will initially be offered for Windows only, but Mac and Linux versions are on the way. A screenshot shows the Windows version of the browser.
Update: Google's site http://www.google.com/chrome is now active and available for Windows.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
45 months ago
Would be better if they used Gecko rather than Webkit. Oh well, can't please all.
45 months ago
Hmmmm... so we really want this type of thing to be open source, from a standpoint of security. Just asking...
45 months ago
Seems like Google is following in Apples' footsteps on this one. With Snow Leopard being all about cutting down the fat it's nice to see Google is releasing a browser that doesn't hog performance on older machines like my powermac.
Can't wait!
Can't wait!
45 months ago
This is awesome and slightly unexpected. Though, I too wonder whether they should have based it on gecko instead of webkit. By the way, guess which browser they are going to support in android. I betcha it won't be mobile firefox.
45 months ago
Hmmmm... so we really want this type of thing to be open source, from a standpoint of security. Just asking...
Yes.
Looks at FireFox, looks at IE/
Looks at OS X(Open Source based) and Linux, looks at Windows.
Yes.
To bad Linux and OS X have to wait. Also I'm surprised, Google was pretty close with FireFox, and they made a mark in IE's usage. Now FF market share might take a hit due to this. Hopefully Google will pressure Dell, HP, etc to make Chrome ships with PCs, so IE takes a big hit.
[ Read All Comments ]
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
Last month, we noted that Apple had signed a pair of leases for over 300,000 square feet of space in Sunnyvale, the company's first venture into the city next door to its home in Cupertino,...
