Filed under: Internet Tools
Google creating its own browser based on WebKit
Google is developing a new web browser built from the ground up and based on WebKit, the same rendering engine that Safari uses.
The browser, called Chrome, is open-source software built with security, compatibility and speed in mind. Each tab in the browser will be its own separate running process. For example, if JavaScript hangs in one tab, the other tabs will remain unaffected. The approach is similar to the way Mac OS X isolates applications in their own private areas to prevent one crash from taking down the whole system.
Google picked an interesting way of announcing the project: They commissioned illustrator Scott McCloud to draw a 38-page comic book about the project, and distribute it under a Creative Commons license. The result is a very readable, fascinating way to learn about the new browser.
For web developers, Chrome will include strong Gears integration, and a JavaScript virtual machine that generates super-fast machine code out of JavaScript instructions. For end users, it will include a new start page that lists the last several pages and search terms you've used. It also includes a private browsing mode.
Google is planning on formally launching the project on Wednesday, but the Chrome website isn't visible to the public yet. Update: Google is releasing a version for Windows tomorrow, with Mac and Linux versions coming soon, once Chrome is "faster and more robust." (Thanks, Bryan!)
[Via Macworld]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bryan Veloso said 6:22PM on 9-01-2008
They're launching it tomorrow, but for Windows. Apparently hard at work on Mac and Linux versions. :)
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html
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Chris Korhonen said 6:27PM on 9-01-2008
From the comic, the browser looks to be very impressive, taking many learnings from how an operating system manages processes and threads. A lot of it makes a lot of sense considering how web *applications* tend to work and their heavy reliance on client side processing.
The news that it is windows only for now is a bit disappointing for the same reason Google Gears is a bit of a non-starter (for now) - you are either going to get web developers who ignore the goodies that Chrome brings so that they can maintain compatibility, or you have developers creating sites which only work optimally on a single platform. Browsers rely on open standards, whilst this approach encourages fragmentation similar to the good old days of Netscape-only web pages.
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LuminousNerd said 9:14PM on 9-01-2008
What is it with people like you and not understanding the meaning of the word "beta"?
It's beta right now, not intended for production, and by the time it is, it will be cross-platform without a doubt, Google is the KING of cross-platform.
So what you're saying is wrong and irrelevant.
Sorry, I'm in an argumentative mood right now.
glebec said 2:49PM on 9-02-2008
@LuminousNerd: Google's use of the word "beta" is very limited. GMail is still listed as "beta" (just look in the top-left corner logo!).
Regardless, this browser looks very interesting and I am looking forward to its Mac release.
glebec said 2:52PM on 9-02-2008
D'oh! I meant "liberal," not "limited." Random neural misfire, resulting in the complete opposite of my meaning. Sorry!
Hansi said 6:36PM on 9-01-2008
IE8 already does the same thing with tabs as separate processes. This browser has no features not already found in other browser, this is the most shameless crapware release ever
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Vince said 10:01PM on 9-01-2008
The crap IE8 does! M$ hasn't a clue what the words "streamlined" and "lean" mean. Heck, Vista built on XP which was already too bloated, and 7 is going to be ten times as massive as Vista is! Microsoft hasn't been anywhere near slim since...stealing the GUI from Apple. Yeah, that's about when the bloat started.
Zeromaru said 6:37PM on 9-01-2008
Can't help but notice that XULrunner applications (ie, Firefox) use the word "chrome" for a URL space linking the UI (using "chrome://" urls).
Also, after frequently switching between Firefox and Safari, I'd like to see a WebKit-based browsers with some of Firefox features.
As for this encouraging fragmentation, this is so not the case. WebKit is currently the most standards-compliant engine in existence - any page that renders incorrectly in Safari is often due to an IE-specific hack that Firefox replicates and not Safari itself. More WebKit browsers on the market will force the other three engines (Triton/IE, Gecko/Mozilla, and Opera) to improve their own standard support.
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glebec said 2:58PM on 9-02-2008
Haha... got the Little Mermaid on your brain? I believe you mean TRIDENT, not "Triton." :-D ;-)
Peter said 6:38PM on 9-01-2008
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html
It will only be for windows at first :(
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This is Apples Market Now said 6:41PM on 9-01-2008
but firefox already does all that ?
whats your deal google? first you copy apple to make android, now you copy firefox... tsk tsk.
Yoda: Becoming more like microsoft you are, a path to the dark side, you follow.
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Vince said 10:04PM on 9-01-2008
I'm an Apple fanboy to the hilt, but Android has been in development for a couple years; it's not a knock off of OS X mobile. And what's wrong with a new browser? This will just create more competition in the market, and competition = good. Capitalism, remember? Keeps things up-to-date and fresh.
This is Apples Market Now said 11:19PM on 9-01-2008
trust me, they looked at iphone os when making android, just look at the two. as a developer i would know this
CowboyBebop said 7:02PM on 9-01-2008
According to the Google blog: "We're hard at work building versions for Mac and Linux too, and will continue to make it even faster and more robust.
"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html
So it looks like we'll have to wait for a Mac version. That's ok, it is going to take one hell of an awesome browser to get me away from Firefox.
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south said 7:42PM on 9-01-2008
i wish all the world's instructions were written by Scott McCloud...
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Jesse said 7:59PM on 9-01-2008
Oh, google. Not only do you log peoples search results, but you want people to use your browser. Let me guess, it will come with google desktop, Picasa, and all your other googled branded spamware. Can't wait for Google OS, Google Toaster, and Google Spy Cam.
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mallzombie said 9:09PM on 9-01-2008
Christ, you people didn't even READ anything did you? What's all this negativity? Competition breeds innovation. You know what you get without competition? Internet Explorer 5.
They're trying to approach the browser in a NEW way, if you read the damn COMIC - you'd see that they're approaching a lot of things (Java, security, etc) in a fresh way; what's there to complain about in that?
You people are looking at a few of the least important and shallow features (tabs, speed dial) and completely ignoring some of the important things the Google's trying to do here. Do yourself a favor a read the damn COMIC, it won't hurt, I promise, hell just look at the pretty pictures.
Sure, it's annoying to only be on Windows for now - but damn appreciate the fact that their already working on OSX and Linux versions rather than completely ignoring the platforms altogether.
So, the only people who'd complain about Google developing a new browser? Fanboys.
If the world was full of fanboys we'd all be a bunch of retards arguing about who stole what idea from who, and why what we use is so much better than a slightly different version you use and we'd never get anything done... oh wait.
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Sam said 10:16PM on 9-01-2008
So far, Google Chrome looks pretty good. Unlike a lot of people here, I actually READ the entire comic. It looks like a good browser. I hope a mac version comes out soon. Who knows, maybe it'll replace Firefox in my dock.
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Fritz Laurel said 10:35PM on 9-01-2008
I hope that's not their final icon.
To take a page out of Apple's HIG book, primary colors should never be used in interface elements much less icons.
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mallzombie said 11:47PM on 9-01-2008
You're talking about Google, who's logo is a simple serif face with letters consisting of different primary colors.