In an amazing turn of events Google seems to be working on their own open source version of a full fledged webbrowser. Although unconfirmed by Google the details presented by Google Blogoscoped are detailed and exciting.
We will post more details as they come available but in the mean time go and visit Blogoscoped and check out the specs and illustrations.
UPDATE: Now confirmed by Google on the official Google blog. More detailed reviews and first impressions can be found on Techcrunch, ReadWriteWeb and the official Chrome website (oops, down again).
And a real screenshot:
Hmmm this will leave Firefox out of some serious funding
They are heading off Microsoft here, as I think Google fear that there will be too much Microsoft-biased search in IE8, and privacy changes that may affect Google’s ad revenues – see http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080901/google-ignites-a-new-browser-war-with-microsoft-by-unveiling-one-of-its-own/
It makes sense, as a Google brand browser will be far easier for people to accept than some Firefox, Safari or Opera, however competent those products. People trust the name Google to deliver stuff – and everyone will expect its search features to be the best.
Smart move, Google.
Browser is due out today at 11am PDT – you can access the Release Conference via CoveritLive here – http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10030025-2.html
And I hope there’s a Mac version available immediately – I really don’t want to have to use my Windows PC!
Google Chrome is downloadable: http://www.chromebrowser.nl/google-chrome-browser/download-google-chrome-nu.html