Web browser developers already had some heavyweight competitors: Microsoft, Apple and the Mozilla Foundation. Publically, at least, the smaller browser developers are backing Google's entry into this long-fought-over Internet field with its Chrome web browser.
One such player is Norway's Opera. Opera started out as a research project in Norway's largest telecoms company, Telenor, in 1994, and branched out into an independent development company named Opera Software ASA in 1995. Its multi-platform Opera Web browser is popular for its fast speeds.
Indeed Opera claims that it is the fastest browser in the world. It's currently the fourth most widely used web browser for PCs, behind Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari, but its market share is obviously dwarfed by the big hitters. (It is, however, a bigger player in the mobile sphere, including devices using Symbian and Windows Mobile operating systems, as well as Java ME-enabled devices.)
Opera co-founder and CEO Jon von Tetzchner told PC Advisor that he welcomes Google's Chrome web browser, even though he notes that it appears to "borrow" many ideas from Opera itself.
"We will continue to innovate. We see that Google Chrome borrows many ideas from Opera such as Speed Dial, the placement of tabs and our Quick Find feature in the address bar.
"We will continue to innovate the same as we always have by keeping a relentless focus on the user and giving them the tools to make browsing safer, faster, more productive and more personal," he said on the day Chrome was announced.
Von Tetzchner pointed out that to "protect free competition" Google now "has a new responsibility to make sure all browsers are supported by all its Web services."
But the Opera CEO maintains that Google remains "a strong partner to Opera", noting: "Opera Mini, Opera Mobile and our desktop browser all include Google as the default search. We are also working with them to bring Gears into our desktop and mobile products."
Google's Chrome web browser is expected to be released in beta form later today, for Windows - and later for Mac OS X and Linux.
Comments
opera user and fan now said: I have been looking for a space to express how I was nicely surprised by the new Opera 96 I had seen the browser before and liked it but this new built is far superior to all browsers and its look is just fantastic puts to shame IE8 and Firefox 3 so elegant it is It is solid as well I am often hacked into and while IE and Firefox fell to pieces because of it I am noticing that Opera is putting up a fight It deservest to be number one browser as far as I am concerned I knew it years ago I am not going to try Googles Chrome browser Its icon looks horrible like some cheap piece of hardware sold in a one dollar store
Dee said: I guess you could really call Google Opera Lite since thats basically all it is
What Google? said: Google is a rich company with ambitious employees Everything they touch becomes a gold They are creating great products like Picassa web browser was a logical step
djP said: Once you use opera all other browsers seem to be lacking Ive used IE Firefox2 and 3 Safari and others But the speed and integrated convenience of Opera just cant be beatChrome looks like a stripped version of OperaVerdict Go with Opera Try it for a week Try out all the features You wont turn back
Thuy said: I love Opera and just use it as default Its more than perfect
jkmacc said: I just wish Google would bring Opera into the spotlight a bit more considering how all their revolutionary features have been part of Opera for a while now Im not as sure as Diane that they will I suppose I should just be thankfull that IE is being targeted Maybe my standards-compliant sites will look right now
Diane Shalla said: Something to ponder Google gets immense public exposureGoogles Chrome browser is using features from OperaGoogle is still going to be associating with Opera so wouldnt it be KOOL if somehow the end result was not just to benefit Google but to actually give Opera a well-deserved boost as a big time competitor Hmmmjust a thought
Dorne said: Lets just wait to see if Chrome can develop more fully Who knows Maybe itll turn out well
KC said: Does Chrome have an intergrated RSS and email client No Ill stick with Opera thanks Having said that Chrome does look good - like an open source version of Opera
Wes said: Opera leads while everyone else borrows from them and plays catch-up I think the main reason more dont use Opera is because theyve never bothered to try it The new version is amazing
CW said: Just use Opera It already most of Chromes new features
John Morris said: Opera 96 which I just got blows everyone away - Im amazed srsly- I did 20 page comparison with Chrome and opera was faster everytime except in one java applet in MLBCOM - who cares lol
Google? what google? said: if google can create a browser I will create 3 in one day Who do they think they are