On the face of it, the answer is simple: Google Chrome is an open-source web browser and, as such, will be aiming to blow Mozilla Firefox out of the water and then train its guns on Internet Explorer.
Indeed as an open-source web browser, you'd think that Firefox is the premier target. And Google Chrome (which will use the same rendering engine as Safari and right now is Windows only) launches only days after Microsoft's major beta release of Internet Explorer 8.0. Game on.
See also: Microsoft slaps Google with IE8: the 'porn browser'
See also: Google Chrome review
But first impressions are not correct, at least not on this occasion.
Mozilla announced today that it had reached agreement with Google to continue its lucrative revenue-sharing deal for a further three years. Firefox makes almost all its revenue through Google, which pays Mozilla for every web search that takes place through the browser's searchbar and default home page.
Each search is an opportunity for Google to display contextual ads, and Mozilla receives a tiny slice of the profit generated. With 20 percent of the web-browser market, those tiny slices soon add up to a healthy great pie. A pie made of cash.
It seems strange that Google would agree to another three years of this mutually beneficial deal, and then launch a Firefox rival. If it wants all of the money, why let Firefox have any? If not, why enter the crowded web-browser market?
And what's with the timing - straight after signing on with Mozilla? Leaked or not, Google knew that Chrome was coming soon.
Over the past few years Mozilla and Google have made very cosy bedfellows. Firefox and Google's various tools play very nicely together, and the companies share common goals. And a common enemy: Microsoft.
Perhaps Google is aiming not for Firefox or even the market leader IE, but for an altogether juicier, and more vulnerable target. Windows Vista.
Regardless of its burgeoning market share, Vista is taking a hell of a beating right now. But if you intend to buy a new PC in the next couple of years, you're not a Mac fan and you don't want to run Linux, Windows Vista's pretty much the only game in town. And, like playing poker with your Dad's friends, it's a game that will cost you dearly. A few hundred quid at least, depending on your chosen flavour of Vista.
Google Chrome is free. But it's not an OS, right? Well, not quite, and not quite yet. But Google can already provide you with a myriad of apps that can offer everything from calendar and email client, to word processor, presentation app and video player. And with the inclusion of Google Gears, Chrome can work offline too. Just what do you need Windows for?
Google Chrome is far more than a web browser. It's the first tentative attempt at the much-vaunted Google OS. And, wedded to the desktop with a ton of bloat and a barrel-load of ill-feeling, Windows will have to shape up to face the challenge.
See also: Google Chrome browser takes on Microsoft & Mozilla
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Comments
Apply food stamp said: I wanted to research this subject and write a paper Your post what a thousand words would not Nice job
romdjoll said: Given the prevalence of netbooks it seems logical that a browser-based os is something well be seeing in the not too distant future With Chrome Google do appear to be taking the first steps in that direction I know personally speaking that if the Linux version of Chrome matches the Windows one I can see no reason not to go for a linux based netbook and work on docs etc online Ill keep my pc - for gaming This is where Microsoft need to wake up - even Dell are producing netbooks now and a bloated resource-hogging OS is not what is needed on them
Onion Dump said: Google Chrome is far more than a web browser Its the first tentative attempt at the much-vaunted Google OS And wedded to the desktop with a ton of bloat and a barrel-load of ill-feeling Windows will have to shape up to face the challengeWhere are the facts to support this theoryGiven Googles perported special relationship with Mozilla wouldnt it have made more sense for them to release their own OS directly with Firefox bundledWhy would any organisation pilot its first OS by first releasing a browserSurely Google and Mozilla against Microsoft makes much more business sense than Google against Mozilla and Microsoft
Susie said: Downloaded Chrome Beta yesterday and I have already made it my default browserI cannot believe just how fast it is No bloat clean easy on the eyeI love itWell done Google nice one
anskyber said: OK Matt thanks Im on Chrome at the moment and whilst we are some way away from a fully integrated system and I do like Vista I can see some real and potentially exciting opportunities if Chrome grows up to its full potential and cloud computing is a realityOn that point and in fairness to your general point the challenge is really down for Microsoft now
Matt Egan said: anskyber - you didnt I did and as you pointed out I was being a tad dramatic Praise Be - get more sleep you hear
anskyber said: Good Matt perhaps you will point out where I have said OEMs will not pass on the cost of any OS to the consumer I was questioning your assertion about a few hundred pounds which you have now retractedPraise Be once again can you direct me to the previous occasions you have in mind Actually Im not in the slightest bit upset about people making choices about OS why should itQuite the contrary in fact I think it is very healthy that there is a genuine chance of real and effective competition in the OS and utilities market Its good for all consumers to have this healthier environment
Praise Be said: I see that the anskyber has once again stood in something very nastyHe will be upset to hear that in a recent survey in the US that nearly 35 of a sampled 3000 computers had been downgraded in reality up-graded from Vista to XPMatt has it right but I expect Vista to be around only 5 very soonGoogle are to future when it comes to quality and free web based utilities Unfortunately Microsofts business model is old and tired because without Googles billion dollar advertising revenues coming in then they are simply VistadBack to your old Corner olde boy
Matt Egan said: And of course youre right about me confusing an OS with a bunch of web-based utilities But I tend to think that Microsoft has confused an OS with a whole bunch of features and fripperies that not everyone needs I suspect the perfect solution lies somewhere between the two
Matt Egan said: anskyber - Id say you were naive in the extreme if you think that OEMs dont pass on the cost of the OS to consumers And I know for a fact that you arent It may not be several hundreds of pounds but you do pay for Windows and you dont have to pay for Chrome - immature as it is
anskyber said: Errnot quite right If you intend to buy a new PC then the very large majority will buy one with an OS preinstalled Your comment that an OS Vista will cost A few hundred quid at least is rather far fetched and in being so also undermines your main premise about the free nature of ChromeI think you are also confusing an OS with web based utilities You could be right about the long term aim of Google but the logic is less than impeccable
anskyber said: Errnot quite right If you intend to buy a new PC then the very large majority will buy one with an OS preinstalled Your comment that an OS Vista will cost A few hundred quid at least is rather far fetched and in being so also undermines your main premise about the free nature of ChromeI think you are also confusing an OS with web based utilities You could be right about the long term aim of Google but the logic is less than impeccable
Oriental Carpet Brokers said: Googles browser is super fast but i miss my search bars and the links on some sites turn into red colours I havent found a way to adjust the browser theme eitherI stick with Firefox