Google vice president Marissa Mayer announced Google Chrome is coming out of beta in an interview with Michael Arrington at Le Web 08. The Google’s open source browser has a number of eager customers, including OEMs who can’t offer the browser until it is in full release. Chrome’s Windows client has been in beta since its roll out 3 months ago, and with the new move will likely spur bundling with Google Toolbar and Google Apps.
Chrome’s official release comes at a time when Google is accelerating efforts to redefine the browser around open Web standards while adding rich media and secure code extensions. Google’s open source Native Client project is just one possible future for the Chrome platform, where applications can run in a browser but incorporate native code modules. For example, this would allow developers to perform image processing on the local client without requiring round trips to the server.
In recent weeks, Google has released a number of enhancements via the Gmail Labs project. A GTalk video chat client requires a 2MB plugin that appears to incorporate proprietary Flash technology as well as other early versions of open Web standards. Another Lab offering creates a Tasks tool that can automatically add emails as items with a keyboard shortcut from within the email item. Other Labs tools include gadgets to view and create Google Calendar items and Google Documents from within the Gmail window. A Google gadget allows third party developers to add their own Labs code.
Still no Mac version tho
Exactly!
Basic customisation of color of browser should be there.
Another missing thing is title of webpage never displayed full.
Mac support?
….how about letting me search within a scrolling text box?
> Still no Mac version tho
Don’t you think it’s about time you gave up “training wheels”? Let’s face facts. Were it not for the amazing stupidity of iPodiots and iPhonies, Apple would be in a worse situation than GM is right now — deservedly so. That Apple continues to infest the computing world lends a lot of credence to the notion that there is a sucker born every minute.
OOTC: I just DL’d the most recent release of Google’s Chrome Web browser. I hope it is better compared to Firefox than the Oct. 2008 beta was.
What I’d really like to see is a Web browser that offers the customization options of Firefox with the tight and fast code that Opera has been known for, plus a lot more built in features and programming hooks to support security and privacy and even anonymity options (this would require some serious server support outside of places that kowtow to nosy governments).
Realistically, the eye-candy features many people want to see in Chrome ought to be *OPTIONS*. The base browser doesn’t need to support flashy crap.
When are we going to have a damn version for Mac? I don’t like Safari and Mozilla’s been slow these past days/weeks it’s scary. How about us the Mac user?
Downloaded Firefox 3.1 Beta 2 for Mac last night – big speed improvement. Issues with extension compatibility though.
We just want a Mac Version !
Ditto on Mac version
And I want to customize home page!, I need more than 9 more visited websites, also something like speed dial would be awesome to have!
I use chrome every day and it’s easily the best browser. It doesn’t matter how fast the others get, they can’t beat not having a single process lock other tabs. It saves so much time its not funny, especially if you have lots of js apps (gmail, gcalendar, docs, videos etc) open at the same time.
after trying this browser on a windows box I love it,
but my work machine and personal machine are both lInux,
so I want a version for linux
Yes, forget Macs and Windows, give us the Linux version Google!
The thing about the Mac version that surprises me so much is that, if you look at the current state of nightly builds, it’s pretty clear that work hadn’t even started on Chrome on the Mac till after the first Windows release.
They’re still discussing architectural considerations on the Mac for implementing the tab-specific processes, etc. Still a long way to go!
PS – The FB comment integration doesn’t seem to be working for me. PHP freakout needing name and email. Strange
Final test. Promise. FB commenting was being weird.
@Paul Dunlop
That simply isn’t true: http://code.goo...ildInstructions
They’ve started on it, but you have to be patient. Porting a program from windows to the mac takes time.
Sure, I understand that. Maybe I should clarify. I understand a lot of work on the Chrome core has happened, I was referring more towards the UI side of the app (should have clarified, sorry). From what I understand, this has a very long way to go
From the Chromium Dev Wiki:
“After we get the layout tests passing, we can begin the discussion of a multi-process architecture and a Cocoa-based user interface. The focus right now is getting the core working correctly. These discussions, including sandboxing, are just now beginning. “
Ditto on the Mac
What % of internet users globally are using a Mac? You’ve got to prioritise – which is what Google are doing.
The lack of Mac development is embarrasing.
PS. I still see no Facebook Connect button on this comment form. Am I missing something?
Chrome crashes for me so often – I’m surprised that they’ve done this!
Indeed.
Mac please.
That’s got to be the shortest beta ever (from Google).
Note that Google Mail is still in beta after nearly 5 years.
Gmail has been in betA for years but Chrome they take take it out in months. Adoption for Gmail by corporates and schools is still pretty good despite its beta tag. As for Chrome, I’d say extension support is the very least they should do before touching version 1.0
Well..glad to hear that…my personal experience..Chrome tends to hang intermittently..when running multiple tabs….
I would still stick and prefer Firefox as it helps me lots in my web designing…
Btw, i have just launched my love blog
- Cupid Blogger Dot Com
Check it out, guys
i
want
one
for
Mac
too
I love Chrome and BEG for a Mac version.
I love Chrome and it stopped working for me today!
Gmail and other Sites with Javascript simply don´t load anymore – even after re-install Chrome doesn´t work – what a mess!
I switched to firefox in 2005 and a month ago switched to Chrome as my default browser.
I love the speed of chrome and how it saves screen real estate.
i like firefox more than chrome, it is too fresh right know, will wait when it become better thet firefox for me
yup, I agree. Without the ability to add extensions like Roboform and Ad block plus I won’t move to Chrome.
so soon out from beta!! not the google way
No extensions, no iMacros tools, so i stay with Firefox
Plus, what is that Native Client? A Java clone???
I am still crazy about Firefox. I am sure Firefox 3.1 will be a big challenge to Chrome.
- Mani
ExcuseMeWorld.com
if this announcement will prove to be right is a demonstration that users tends to accept more gladly beta versions of online applications rather than installing creepy software on their machine even if they come from big names like Google.
I could use Gmail in Beta forever, but I certainly avoid installing Chrome until it reaches a fair balance of stability and useful features. and that won’t happen as soon as it drops the beta label.
Native Client sounds like ActiveX, which at very least had major problems. this would seem to put them one step closer to having their own OS for PCs… you don’t doubt that’s coming do you?
What about Google’s philosophy? : Perpetual Beta
Until Chrome is out for the Mac there’s always Stainless (www.stainlessapp.com) and CrossOver Chromium (chromium.codeweavers.com).
Mac version please
OEM pressure is interesting!
ps. what happened to FB connect?
Hmm. Still has a few bugs. After it had it’s last fatal crash several weeks ago, I could never get it to restart, even after a full uninstall (involving system registries), and a fresh install…
Very disappointing.
Go back to IE. It suits your fu*ked up machine
Incredible – could OEM be so desperate for cash that they need Chrome to exit beta so that they can pre-install it ASAP … more …
http://blog.jay...e-to-exit-beta/
yeah..i want mac version toooooo
Chrome is not good for me
nothing is good for you, even computers.
A great idea that I’d like to suggest for Chrome would be to produce a version for the Mac.
Wow, I’m stoked by all the people requesting a Mac version!
I wonder if any of the Google Chrome developers read TechCrunch? They could post comments using Facebook Connect on the Mac issue and it would verify if its them…
Sorry, I don’t get all the fuss about Chrome. I like Google, I love some of their product’s simplicity that “just” gets the job done (e.g. GTalk). However, this browser is lacking in many ways features which most of us have come to depend on. I tried it for a while, just couldn’t get myself to like it. I’m sticking with Firefox as primary, Opera as secondary.
If you’re thinking of no bookmarks export, the latest version has it. Plus, the pull-out/crash-free tabs (one crashing doesn’t affect the other) are quite nice. And the thing is really fast.
One headache still though is that not all sites (especially conference) are compatible yet, but hopefully that’ll change once it goes GA.
Stainlessapp is not stable. I can’t wait for the Mac version.
Re Mac support: does this gradual bundling, plus Google’s traditional lack of Mac support, lead us to believe, that Gmail support will no longer be available to Mac users?
Let’s see the Mac version.
Since I’ve never ever gotten Chrome to install properly on any windows machine I use both at home and at work, my reaction to the news is … meh.
I wonder if we ask for a Mac version enough on a prominent technology blog such as TechCrunch we will get what we want.
Ditto on Mac Support
Mac!!
The strange thing about this post is that it has a what (Google taking Chrome out of beta) but doesn’t mention when. The Google Chrome page still says it’s in beta.
Was this just an announcement that Google intends to at some point take Chrome out of beta? If so, hardly seems like news.
Actually this isn’t breaking news at all. Windowsitpro has already reported this and a time frame of January has been given. Click on my name to get to my blog where there is more information.
Piss of you stupid spammer, all what you do is trying to get people to click on ads on your page, FU*CK OFF you stupid ass*hole.
Chrome has been appealing to me since seeing the comic. The fresh approach to building a modern browser is what got my attention. Separate processes and the task manager are a great feature for us tab happy types. It may be it’s best feature so far.
All Chrome needs is to include some basic features like bookmark management, customization, and extensions and I will consider converting. Right now Firefox has more of what I need to use on a day-to-day basis. Such as the Delicious extension and many others.
The important thing for me overall is the competition. It will make Firefox better and fuel innovation.
OEM interest ==IE not good or am I reading into it more that what is intended.
You are just an idiot. thats all
Another vote for a mac version.
I would love to have a version of Chrome that runs on my Apple computer.
I installed Chrome.
When trying to launch, it crashed saying that an error occured.
I uninstalled and returned to IE …
Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac
Fuck the mac ! Fuck the mac !
Fuck the prince