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Google takes on Microsoft by launching free browser

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 02-Sep-08, 09:20

LONDON - Google is opening a new front in its battle with Microsoft by launching a free web browser today in 100 countries.

Google Chrome will take on Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which accounts for 72% of installed browsers after shoving aside rival programme Netscape in the 1990s' "browser wars".

It will also compete with the second strongest player, Mozilla Firefox, which has 20% of the market and grew out of Netscape.

Google is a key partner of Mozilla and last week the two groups extended their partnership agreement until 2011, which includes a provision for Google to be the default search engine in Firefox.

Some observers believe Google has abandoned its stance that it did not need a browser because of its growing concern not only over Explorer's default setting to Microsoft's Live Search but also the direction that Microsoft is taking with Explorer.

Last week Microsoft introduced an Explorer update that can block access to users' browsing habits from third-party sites.

Google's strategy of launching its own internet-based applications such as email, spreadsheets and word processing means the company is more reliant on browser technology.

This was acknowledged by a Google vice-president of product management, Sundar Pichai, in Google's explanation of Chrome.

Pichai said: "We realised that the web had evolved from mainly simple text pages to rich, interactive applications and that we needed to completely rethink the browser.

"What we really needed was not just a browser, but also a modern platform for web pages and applications, and that's what we set out to build."

In true Google style, the news about Chrome emerged in the form of a digital comic.

Google has said Chrome will be available for download later today and will post a link to it from its official blog site.

Comments

Stuart Witts - 02/09/2008

With the introduction of the 'Omnibar' in Google's new browser, and it's ability to display historical web pages based on keywords typed as opposed to just URLs, it would seem that well written and relevant content is more important than ever. And given the proliferation of garbage on the internet I for one welcome that with unbridaled joy.

Charles Christie - 02/09/2008

As head of an interactive agency, I do not welcome yet another web browser to enter the webscape. It is difficult enough to create media-rich online applications to run across existing browsers at a price clients are willing to pay, without yet another power-crazed corporation vying for world domination, bringing a version out too! I would like to see Sir Tim Berners-Lee head a new FBI (Fight Browser Infestation) Taskforce, to halt the proliferation!!

Nerissa MacDonald - 03/09/2008

Will be interesting to see how succesful this new product truly is... go Google i say!

Adam Irwin - 04/09/2008

I agree with Charles, having yet another web browser merely increases costs to our clients. On the other hand I really like Google chrome, so I'm a bit torn. Right, no-one is allowed to make any more after this one :)

Jamie Riddell - 04/09/2008

Another browser is always good, although it would be a shame to see Chrome cannabilise Firefox market share.

Jamie Riddell - 04/09/2008

Has anyone actually read their T's & C's ? ""By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services."