Google is planning its own web browser, called Chrome, in what is a rather obvious move for the Internet search giant. A browser is the first thing you'd expect from Google - way ahead of maps, spreadsheets, Google Mars, etc.
Google Docs, Google Talk, Google Mail, Google Trends, Google Dashboard Widgets, Google Suggest, Google Transit, Google Gears, GOOG-411, Google Reader, Google Notebook, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Google Video, Personalized Search, Google Page Creator, iGoogle, Google Maps, Google Scholar, Google SMS, Google Desktop, Google Groups 2, Google Glossary, Google News Alerts, Google Code Search, Google Ride Finder, Google Sets...
So why not Google Browser? Why Chrome? Does Google now need to sex up its products?
Calling its planned web browser Chrome smacks a little of desperation to me. Project Chrome sounds like something that will wither and die before a proper release.
Remember Microsoft's attempt to out-Apple Apple with its 3D graphics/video add-on for Windows 98? It promised flashing text and crazy animations on web browsers as well as user interface enhancements for Web-based applications.
Its name... Chrome.
Microsoft's dream had Chrome developers using HTML, XML, C++, VBScript, and Jscript, developers to turn a web browser into a rippling, 3D space with audio and video playback. Even databases would be represented in swirling 3D.
An analyst at Jupiter Communications claimed that Chrome would show up Apple as a feeble pretender: "It's not often I say Microsoft has cool software. Apple doesn't have anything comparable."
So what happened to Chrome? First it was renamed to the slightly more prosaic Chromeffects in July 1998. Then Microsoft canned it in November 1998 after a complete lack of interest. Although it is somewhat resurrected in the company's more recent Silverlight project - again a name so flashy that it appears more show than substance.
Leave the flash names to Apple, guys, and get on with delivering us boring old Google Browser.
See also:
Google browser takes on Microsoft & Mozilla
OPINION: Firefox rival, Vista killer... what is Google Chrome?
(I look forward to being reminded of this headline "Chrome has no chance of success. Fact!" when either (a) Chrome overtakes IE and Firefox as the world's number-one web browser and I am the laughing stock of tech journalism, or (b) Chrome peters out as another failed Google project and I am lauded as a visionary and therefore hired to run Google Labs.)
Comments
hmexx said: nice call there
Lottehkboy said: whoever wrote that u are so wrong google chrome is my default brower now
vibs said: Let users decide if chrome is ANOTHER google failed projectsand y dont u list yahoos and microsofts failed projectsthey wd be much more
vibs said: Let users decide if chrome is ANOTHER google failed projectsand y dont u list yahoos and microsofts failed projectsthey wd be much more
Jay said: So wrong
Brad N said: What no mention of Mozillas Chrome you know the part you can change most parameters of Firefox et al
Bull Spotter said: I like the shiny ChromeI also like the way that Simons Blogs are going to be the future target practice for the educated and knowledgeable readers withinThe guys going to be a cult figure just like Vista
jack's boot said: ya ya cymon
simonjary said: As pointed out above this article makes no comment on the value of Chrome as a web browser There are other articles and a review doing just that It was a response to Googles naming convention - nothing more
Adolfy said: Nice one herr vor
vor said: anyone that uses hitwise badges is obviously not to be taken seriously Whether or not chrome is a success or not no one will remember this little mans commentary anywayReally weak disappointing article The anchorpoint of your rationale is that Google chose a sexy sounding product name
Mark F said: Dowmloaded Chrome today used it for an hour loved all the new features I think a winner for those bold enough to download and try Go on get your heads out of the sand now
zzer said: excellent point thanks zzerwordpresscom
kiwi007 said: well after using chrome now for about 4 hourstook a little time to get used to it i found it quite unique and extremely easy to navigateAlso it appears to work faster and uses a hell of a lot less resources to get where i want to be
chromeuser said: Chrome is just amazingThis article isntgoogledotcomchrome
silverous said: Is it me or is there a slight or perhaps not so slight anti-google bias tone to thispostAnother failed google projectOh yes because google is always failing with projectsI expect anti-google bias from the were doomed google are going to take over the world crowd but not from a professional technology journalist
so many people without a brain said: look at comments make me wonder why so many people dont use their brain Have you seen anything google did can be called software it is a joke
VoiceOfReason said: Simon Jary Has No Chance of Success FactLame commentary Predictable storyline Inadequate analysisInept innuendoSelf Important to no-one elses concernIts hard to even be apathetic about such blogging skills yawnBlather on good man
Patr100 said: So because a prog that noone has actually seen has a fancy name similar to one used before by another co it will fail Quiet day in the editorial office was it
Aks said: I deliberately searched google chrome on live search and guess wat ur article came up the first and you know better than me why Just commenting baselessly wont help the features they are suggesting chrome has I would definately want to try it Atleast it wont crash like IE does and when it does all the windows that were there gets done with