This year, with the release of Apple's Safari browser along with the latest releases of iTunes, the Windows-based browser eco-system got quite a shake up. Yesterday, along came Google Chrome. Based on the same rendering technology as Safari, Google Chrome will change many things in the land of web browsers and the way people access the Internet.
There are three significant experiential changes in Chrome: 1) a single "do everything" box that searches, browses, and navigates; 2) web page isolation in processes (so web page crashes don't take out your whole browser); and 3) a lightning fast JavaScript engine that actually complies code and manages memory efficiently (one of the major bugbears with the complex JavaScript that is possible today). Of those three things, the first is very much inline with the latest release of Internet Explorer 8 and Firefox 3. The second element is most intriguing. It focuses primarily on the poor memory management and bad behavior of browser components. This may just be the single biggest reason for PC users to switch or at least try Chrome. The third element will make a big difference for highly interactive sites and significantly improve performance of Javascript libraries.
One more point to note, setting up Flash, QuickTime, Windows media playing in browsers has always been complicated. The Google Chrome browser "just works". All of those types and pieces came integrated and working right out of the box, no complicated additional downloads, no extra setup steps. All in all, I think Google Chrome will be an interesting change for folks. It will complicate web application development, as we will now have another browser specification to build to, but ultimately it will streamline the web browsing experience for the Windows user. Will it surpass Firefox? Will it overtake IE? Will it be as revolutionary on the Mac? How will Android and mobile browsers use Chrome? These are questions only time can answer. I for one, welcome our new Google overlords to the browser party.
Dean McRobie
Strategists & Planners
Comments (3)
Interestingly enough ZDNet just posted an interesting meme in the rich internet application wars. http://news.zdnet.com/2424-9595_22-219799.html
Their hypothesis is that Chrome's javascript performance will begin to rattle Silverlights (arguably better) rich internet application speeds compared to Flash. Of course this will all mature significantly over the next few years, but with the creation of JavaScript libraries like jQuery, Dojo, moo.fx, and script.aculo.us speed will become very much of the essence.
Dean
Posted on September 8, 2008 08:34
I enjoyed reading this article, is the browser chart US or Int'l? For what period of time? Thanks.
Posted on September 16, 2008 09:11
Thanks for your question Jessica, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I pulled the graphic from Net Applications market share data (you can check out the link at http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=3). My apologies for not quoting the source above, thanks to Net Applications for this data.
Posted on September 16, 2008 13:33