2 Sep
First Look at Google's Chrome Browser
Though adding another browser to our already rigorous bevvy of website testing doesn't appeal to me, having new such programs help drive web innovation is always welcome. Case in point: today's beta release of Google Chrome.
At first glance, the currently Windows only app is certainly slim, trim and offers up standards like tabbed browsing, a suggestion-centric location toolbar, and websites that look pretty much as one would expect (still a pleasant surprise since the days of IE6). Loading of complex tools like 37 Signals' Basecamp and busy sites like ESPN.com is snappy. The default lack of a bottom-anchored status bar is refreshing. I especially appreciate how clearly the page tabs stand out at the top of the program and I'm really into the color coding in the location bar that had an unsigned secure site's "https" red with a diagonal slash through it, and constantly keeps the core part of a domain name dark while all that annoying fluff that comes after a lighter shade of gray. I've even gone through to check on rich text editing functionality on some of our client's sites and things are looking good there as well.
With the release of Google Chrome, I get a pretty strong sense that we'll be seeing more of this once mobile devices that utilize Google Android start hitting store shelves. It makes sense to me for any browser effort there to be ported for everyone's use on the desktop. Is this another move toward a full on Google OS for your desktop? Time will only tell.
So what do you think? It's still early, but feel free to post your impressions, pro's, con's and other Google Chrome related thoughts in the comments below.
Review
by Kevin Freitas | 9/2/2008 1:43pm
by Kevin Freitas | 9/2/2008 1:43pm
Also just noticed that any multi-line text box has a grabber in the lower right corner that allows a user to adjust its default size.
Left by Kevin Freitas | Sep 2, 2008
Chrome splits up tabs very similarly to how windows splits up programs. It even comes with a version of a task manager for the browser. Using this, you can see what site is making your computer run slowly. This should put some pressure on the big websites to keep their footprint small.
As projects like Adobe Air and Google Gears are gaining popularity, I see a shift in the way the web works. There will always be flat, brochure-like websites because of their ease of development. But I see web applications becoming prominent. I really hope to see this turn into a system where application can run both in the browser, and on the desktop. Imagine dragging a youtube video from your browser to your desktop and having the youtube desktop app playing it when you are offline. There are so many possibilities with this technology that it make us, at this web application development company, salivate.
Left by Paul Sayre | Sep 2, 2008
"We are so, so happy with Google Chrome," mumbled Mozilla CEO John Lilly through gritted teeth. "That most of our income is from Google has no bearing on me making this statement." - http://notnews.today.com/?p=57
Left by David Gerard | Sep 2, 2008
Very very cool, I haven't messed around with it very much yet but from what I've seen so far there's a lot of potential. Just need releases for Linux and OS X and I'm sold!
Left by Nick Williams | Sep 2, 2008
I'm pretty disappointed that I haven't been able to see the alleged "frowny-tab" that appears when a tab crashes. Anybody know a site I can go to that will crash a tab?
Left by Eric Smith | Sep 2, 2008
Unlike Firefox, Chrome does not allow the tab bar to slide around when it gets too full. Tabs just get smaller and smaller. After 30 tabs you can no longer see favicons. At 60 tabs it becomes too much and the last tab overlaps the add tab button, and by 63 you can't even see the new tabs you've created. Something like the left and right arrows to slide the bar back and forth while keeping all tabs at a readable width might be helpful.
Left by Joe Izenman | Sep 2, 2008
Interesting behavior for bad urls... a DNS error will bring up a page that includes a google search box already populated with the domain you were looking for. A 404 on a site that does not specify its own 404 page comes up with a similar page, but providing a link to the homepage and allowing a google search on just that site.
For example: http://www.tacomaopera.com/asdf (it was even smart enough to split the potential search into three words: "tacoma opera asdf")
Left by Joe Izenman | Sep 2, 2008
@Eric
If you wanna see the frowny-tab, open up the browsers task manager, look at the geek stats. Then, using the task manager, end the new task and it should pop up. Enjoy!
Left by Paul Sayre | Sep 2, 2008
Eric I saved you a screenshot of the sad google tab
http://www.sitecrafting.com/files/library/75741b5475247059.jpg
Left by Michael Pierce | Sep 2, 2008
It's doing some funky things to some floats and poorly defined list items, but other than that, it seems all good (am quite relieved to see that this site holds up.) I'll return with a more definite idea about what I think after some usage.
Left by | Sep 2, 2008