Google Chrome: First impressions
Well, I didn’t see this one coming yesterday.
Google continued their assault on Microsoft by launching their new browser, Chrome, today – 24 hours after announcing it!
I’ve just installed it, and first impressions are that it will be a serious contender in the browser market – as you would expect.
Installation was fast and easy, taking all of about one minute. It imported my settings from Firefox – bookmarks, passwords, the lot.
Another minute later, and I was up and running – actually, make that sprinting. This thing really moves – it’s lightning fast. The sleek interface adds to that feeling, and anyone coming from Firefox will be immediately at home, organising tabs and bookmarks like an old pro.
Text and graphics look great on Chrome – there’s a lovely soft, anti-aliased edge to the display. No surprise, given that the rendering engine is based on Safari’s Webkit.
The launch page borrows from Opera’s excellent quick-dial, giving you instant access to your recently bookmarked and most viewed pages.
There’s also incognito mode – where you can browse safe in the knowledge that no trace of your – ahem – browsing habits will be left on your PC.
All in all, Google Chrome is a frighteningly polished product, given that it’s a beta. The response has been very positive and I can’t wait to see some developer extensions appear to add to its feature list.
You can download Google Chrome here.
Have you tried Chrome yet? What are your thoughts?
Tags: browser, Firefox, Google, Google Chrome
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Thanks for the info… didn’t even think Chrome was coming out soon (NOW I know!)
I’ve been using Safari lately (Apple’s)… I actually like it better than mozilla
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:42 am
I downloaded google chrome and started using it. I really didn’t find any bugs or problems using it and felt that it seemed to be pretty stable. I use IE, Firefox and Safari in tandem and feel that the team that put together Chrome obviously had a clear understanding of browser technology and so far I can’t say anything negative about it. I’m just not sure I would use over the other ones I’m become used to. Just my 2 cents.
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
It would take a lot to make the move over from firefox. But so far i’ve definetly found that chrome is very very fast , especially for javascript heavy sites. It will be interesting to see whether they iterate on the original release and add some killer app functionality.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I also tried Chrome. I found it easy to use and of course fast, but for now I’ll be sticking with firefox. As chrome expands, I’ll definitely give it another try though.
February 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Same here, i’m sticking with firefox because of the plug ins. I’ve only used chrome when i have to make a tutorial video on how to use it.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Chrome is very neat browsers, but once again, plugins is the problem. I am so addicted to all plugins of FF that it is not possible for me to quit it or to join any other browser.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Not only am I addicted to the FF plug-ins but I have a real aversion to learning new things. Google does things first class though so I imagine it’s only a matter of time.
March 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Of course, it’s a matter of time. It’s only the first version, first pace of a child I’d say.