It came from nowhere. Or at least that’s how it feels - I had not heard any buzz on Chrome, the new browser from Google. Maybe I live under a rock? But other bloggers seem to be caught just as much by surprise as I was - even Neil McAllister admits being blindsided by the launch in his great article at Infoworld.

Still, it’s Google, and my reaction is par to the majority of Mozilla Links voters - I can’t wait to take it for a spin (54% of 660 polled at the time I checked in said “definitely will have to try it” and an additional 14% go a step further, “I guess I have a new browser.”)

Looks like adoption won't be an issue...

Why do we need a new browser? Neil McAllister’s metaphor is upgrading from a gas-guzzler to a sleek hybrid. Google’s Sundar Pichai, at a briefing in Mountain View, CA. spoke of a simple user experience and a modern browser that can handle today’s applications.

As a web developer though, I groan. The simple days of bowing to the erstwhile almighty IE are gone, and we go back to cross-browser compatibility. Ah well, I’ve never been much for advocating a monopoly. So, give a big warm welcome to the new kid on the block, born September 2, 2008.

And, for a Giggle, take a look at the intro comic strip those Google rascals put together (not quite as riveting as Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise, but still a fun read.)

Friday Followup:
The folks at Microsoft are concerned about what Chrome’s coming will do to their Silverlight baby.

Saturday Segue:
See Mountain View briefing on YouTube:

Sunday sundries:
What impresses me about Google is how they stay true to their word. Chromium is open source. And as you install Chrome the user’s preferences carry over from IE or Firefox, bringin over your search provider of choice, etc. (What a sharp contrast from other marketing approaches out there, the predatory ones - such as the loathed RealPlayer, etc.) Even today, Google’s “do no evil” policy holds.)

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