Chrome is a great browser for Google’s web apps because its JavaScript engine is optimized to run most of them as fast as possible. That alone is reason enough for heavy users of applications like Gmail and Google Reader to use Chrome (if you have a PC anyway — the Mac version is still forthcoming). But Google may also be giving another small advantage to those who surf the web on Chrome: The ability to see new features early.
Earlier tonight we received a tip with the screenshots below. As you can see, Google Finance has a brand new interface when browsed to with Chrome versus in Internet Explorer and also Firefox (not pictured). It would seem that Google may be checking for the Chrome user agent and giving those users a glimpse at this new version of Google Finance.
Our tipster called it “lame” that Google was only offering the new version of the site to Chrome users. But there is, of course, nothing wrong with Google doing this — provided that it doesn’t mean to permanently offer different (meaning better) versions of sites to only those users using Chrome. But that seems very unlikely. Instead, Google is probably just testing some new features out to a small set of users, just as a lot of other sites do throughout the web.
After it was launched last year, Chrome caused a bit of controversy on the web because of Google’s previously strong ties to Mozilla (makers of the Firefox browser). Some were quick to jump to the conclusion that Google entering the browser wars meant that it would specially tailor sites for its own browser and neglect all the others. But Google’s prominent position on the web — particularly with web advertising — pretty much ensures that it has to play nice with all web browsers. Or at least those not named Internet Explorer 6.
[thanks Andrew]
I think they might be just randomly bucket-testing, and not based on the browser.
I see the new version of Google Finance in my IE8 on Windows 7, build 7000, but not in my Google Chrome which is the latest dev build.
interesting, i tried earlier to double check and only saw it in Chrome (on Windows 7 same build) and not FF or IE.
I have no inside knowledge of this at all, but I’d be inclined to chalk this up to just different browsers getting into different bucket tests, e.g. by cookies.
Same here – I see the new version in Firefox for Mac.
Isn’t this reproducible using Tamper Data or some other tool that let you modify the data you’re sending to the server?
MG , go to sleep.
Fine.
Can you see him from the TC live camera?
I tried,
Either there is a still image or everything is standstill on ustream and forget MG, the dog TC uses to test Pepsi bottles is also missing.
Ahem!
I can see that in IE buddy!
I used chrome for few days and went back to firefox, FF has the advantage of the add-ons.
as MG suggests i think this is just for testing purpose, google is better company to do things like tailoring special sites to chrome only.
virtually acquire Google on http://webmilke....com/googlecom/
I’ve opened this in IE8, FF3, FF2, as well as Chrome and all versions look like screenshot #2
Can we kill IE6 yesterday?
Nope, got this on Firefox last week, its just being randomly tested like all Google features. Thought it was rather impressive.
chrome and maxthon
j;ukgkgukgky
Don’t really think they would bother doing it via browser. Seems a bit silly, as they are supposed to be advertising to the world what they are doing, since IE & Firefox hold the majority of the market it would seem silly to do that.
Can’t say I agree that Google webapps run better in Chrome. I am an avid user of Google Docs, but I’m getting bucketfulls of errors when running chrome, especially in conjunction with google gears, usually errors autosaving.
Yeah same for me. There are quirks that exist within Google Docs that only exist in Chrome. I often have to open Firefox to accomplish little things.
Nice work, TC.
Conversely, I always view Google Finance in chrome (our portfolio is maintained on my husband’s google account, and I hate logging out of mine!), and it looks the same this morning as it always has.
Anyway, they can do what they want right now!
They rule the world guys
This is old news. Here is Google’s blog post about it from back in March.
http://googlefi...n-progress.html
They’re still testing the new design to a small group of random users. I’ve seen it myself a couple weeks ago – but it wasn’t browser specific.
Yeah, this was showing up in my IE last week and I’ve still yet to see it in Chrome.
waiting for the add-ons
Nice work,:D