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October - 2008 - issue > Tech Tracker
Google Chrome portends more than just the browser war
Christo Jacob
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The launch of Google Chrome, an Internet browser early last month has given a new turn to the browser war. Though the launch is commonly viewed as a protective move by the search giant to ward off worries about the new features in Internet Explorer 8 that could affect its search business, there is a long-term strategy behind the launch. Google wants the new browser to influence the development of Web technology that will help draw consumers to its various Web applications, making Google on the whole more attractive to advertisers.

Hence, Google Chrome makes a change from the current browsers by adding new features including privacy changes that could prevent Google from collecting information related to the effectiveness of its ads, quick-linking to Microsoft mapping and other offerings, and a more robust search bar that is also more Microsoft-centric.

Chrome has created a big change in the user interface itself. The tabs are placed much above the URL fields and can be moved as independent windows. It opens with your homepage with thumbnails of websites that the user most frequently visits along with most recent searches and bookmarks. Compared to other browsers, the options are hidden in the wrenched button of the browser. Moreover, it remembers the searches which user has made in each website too.

The launch of Google Chrome Web browser, which reached nearly two million downloads in the United States during the first week, was a treat to the Internet users. With the launch, Google aims to grab a chunk of Microsoft’s monopoly in the browser market. To combat with Microsoft’s dominance, Google has been backing Mozilla’s Firefox browser. In this regard, Mozilla’s recent launch of Firefox 3 had a record-setting debut-day in mid-June, with 8.3 million downloads in 24 hours.
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