New Browser War? Google Chrome is here!
First Review of Google Chrome v.0.2.149.27
I have just installed Google Chrome, and must say, that first impressions (after a minor bug on install) are that it looks good. Neat, very tidy, very minimalist, easy on the eye, and renders pages nicely. See screenshot.
My first problem is simply that I had to close Firefox to install it, and now cannot open Firefox. This is very annoying. Even after clearing the cache, running CCleaner to be sure, I still cannot open Firefox. A system restart is probably required – logging out and back in did not work either. (Update – yep, system restart was required to get my Firefox working again – probably Window’s fault, or Firefox’s though).
Second bug, is that I am using the Google Blogger software to write this, and on hitting enter while in Compose mode, it creates visible div tags in the compose window. It does not affect the actual rendering of the page, but looks messy. I will check in Firefox as soon as I get that browser open again. – UPDATE – OK, pages are generated correctly, so this is OK!
The first slight annoyance was on install, I was requested to close Firefox to allow an import of bookmarks etc. but the message did not fully show on the screen. Anyway, I am using Google Chrome to write this blog, so hope that it publishes quickly. Maybe I am the first person to use Google Chrome to publish a Blogger blog?
What I like about Google Chrome
The first obvious feature is that on opening a new browser tab, thumbnails on the Most visited pages are available – this is similar to Opera’s default page, where the user can chose which pages appear as thumbs. At the moment there are some useless pages listed, including two “redirecting” pages, but as the browser is used more, your favourite pages will be quickly available.
The other feature is recent bookmarks which provides a dynamic list of the last webpages to be bookmarked – this is a simply solution that makes browsing much quicker, as generally new bookmarks are often returned to most frequently.
The browser address bar also has a quick bookmark button, a star, to allow faster bookmarking.
Currently Chrome’s options are limited. Options are in three sections; “basics” which has homepage options, default search engine (not just Google! in fact, all the usual ones available from Firefox) , plus the choice to set Chrome as the default browser; “minor tweaks” which includes chosing the download directory and saving passwords; and “under the hood” which includes web security options, pop-up blocking, phishing alerts, and other security options such as managing certificates, and dealing with cookies.
Things that are different with Google Chrome
Google Chrome has its own Task Manager, under the Developer menu. One interesting feature it has is “stats for nerds” (that is so Google!) which shows memory and virtual memory used for different tabs / web pages.
Also, in addition to simply opening a new window, there is the option to open a new incognito window, which Google define as:
You’ve gone incognito. Pages that you view in this window won’t appear in your browser history or search history, and they won’t leave other traces, like cookies, on your computer after you close the incognito window. Any files that you download or bookmarks that you create will be preserved, however.
This appears to be a good security measure for browsing new sites that could contain malware and spyware etc. However, Google are quick to point out that;
Going incognito doesn’t affect the behaviour of other people, servers or software. Be wary of:
Websites that collect or share information about you
Internet service providers or employers that track the pages that you visit
Malicious software that tracks your keystrokes in exchange for free smileys
Surveillance by secret agents
People standing behind you
Overall I like Chrome. I am not sure if I will replace Firefox just yet, but as I do use many of Google’s web tools, I feel that this will become my browser of choice.
Google seem to have allowed a little of their true personality to shine through in Google Chrome. Until now there applications have been serious business tools and web development services, but from what is seen in Chrome, there is some humour and fun included, which we all know to be core to Google’s business culture.
I really look forward to what comes next in Chrome. I assume like Firefox, there will be a vast array of optional add ons to chose from. I am slightly disappointed that some of Google’s applications are not already integrated, such as docs, Blogger, Gmail and Analytics, but I would assume that this is all in the pipeline. One step at a time. Google generally tread carefully with their new applications, and although Google Chrome is classed as Beta, the core functionality is certainly well tested and debugged. The installation problems were minor, and most likely due to a dodgy operating system and unusual monitor. Google are on a winner.
