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Chrome Browser for Mac Beta Confirmed for December, Chrome OS Next Week?

Friday November 13, 2009 7:06 am PST by Eric Slivka
Hints earlier this week regarding the release of an official beta version of Google's Chrome browser for Mac have been confirmed. TechCrunch contacted received the news yesterday from a Google spokesperson, who stood by earlier reports that the Mac beta of Chrome will be available by the end of the year.

We asked Google about it and here's what they had to say, "As I'm sure you know, we generally don't comment about timelines for releasing specific features or products. But we've been quoted a few times saying Chrome for mac should be out by the end of the year." I was then pointed to an Reuters article from September that quoted Google's Product Management Vice President, Sundar Pichai, as saying that Chrome for Mac would be released by year's end.

Google's spokesperson also confirmed that the Mac version will follow a similar model as the Windows version, launching initially as part of a Beta channel for active development, with refined versions periodically promoted to a Stable channel for users looking for "rock solid" performance without the need for the latest features still undergoing development.

In other Google news, TechCrunch also reports that the company's Chrome OS, a browser-based operating system built on Linux, is expected to be launched as an early beta or development version for download within the next week.

We expect Google will be careful with messaging around the launch, and endorse a small set of devices for installation. EEE PC netbooks, for example, may be one set of devices that Google will say are ready to use Chrome OS. There will likely be others as well, but don't expect to be able to install it on whatever laptop or desktop machine you have from day one. Google has previously said they are working with Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba on the project.

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mrtravel123
29 months ago
Cool. Should be interesting to see.
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nwcs
29 months ago
Chrome and Safari are WebKit browsers basically. I don't know how much value there will be to Safari users in switching unless Google makes a dynamite interface. Historical signs point to no on that one.
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mathemabeat
29 months ago
Hopefully someone will package up the Chrome OS into a virtual machine for us to try out. Would love to give it a spin in Fusion.
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Jayomat
29 months ago
i'm curious to know what the Google OS has to offer.. and looking forward for chrome..
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hhaeschen
29 months ago
I wonder how much data Google is going to gather from Chrome OS users...
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wrldwzrd89
29 months ago
Chrome Browser looks interesting, but I think I'll have to pass on Chrome OS. I'm very concerned about Google stepping over the line of reasonable data collection with all Chrome products...
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guzhogi
29 months ago
Might try it out.

Only question: why is this on the front page when there's a similar article on page 2? Sleeping on the job Arn?
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CQd44
29 months ago
The Chrome browser is amazingly fast. I also like the tabs being separate processes; one can be laggy but it won't affect the other tabs at all (nor will it bring down the whole browser). It's really something.
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wrldwzrd89
29 months ago

Might try it out.

Only question: why is this on the front page when there's a similar article on page 2? Sleeping on the job Arn?

The page 2 article is older, and is a rumor. This article confirms that rumor as true.
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Oflife
29 months ago
...(coming from a fellow Mac guy).

Some of you have responded with 'Cool'.

Google are about to launch a massive broadside against the Mac. Just as Android is now the gorilla in the room against the iPhone. (First friends, now enemies.)

People falsely believe Google are targetting Microsoft, when in fact, few established businesses trust anyone but Microsoft, but the young and creative do love and trust Google. If hardware vendors produce stylish technologically advanced devices at 1/2 to 1/3rd of the price of Apple hardware, Apple are going to have problems a year from now.

Don't ignore the fact that the not to stylish but very versatile (and open) DROID from Motorola sold 100,000 units in it's first few days. And there is nothing to stop anyone porting the apps that made the iPhone popular across to Android.

Remember, people purchase items for SOLUTIONS, and the second a low cost Google OS laptop and/or desktop appears that can 'run' robust productivity suites and applications, Apple are going to suddenly be left with some obsolete over priced hardware.

For example, imagine a nice 24" desktop machine for £400 ($600). Or a 15" touch screen laptop for a similar amount.

All that can stop this wil be the (Apple) tablet. If it is flexible enough to act as a web centric and desktop centric device, then coupled with an optional wireless keyboard and competitive pricing, it could hold off Google OS.

:eek:
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