Google Chrome - What does it mean?
Google recently released its Chrome web browser…why? Does the world need another browser war? Did consumers not have enough choices with Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera? There are many, many analyses on the web (here, here and here). Here are two different views:
First, convergence. The iPhone joined mobile phone capability with a full Safari browser while most phones have a very limited “mobile” browser. Google’s Android phone system will need to have the same capability. Starting with a desktop browser to gain experience gives Google the opportunity to give Android the same thing, a full browser sooner. This contrasts sharply with the typical mobile device which comes with one of several varieties of off-brand and functionally limited browsers.
So Google’s Android phones can now expect compete with the iPhone on pure Internet experience. Sure the first Android phone doesn’t have Chrome, but soon? This shot also means we can expect the next version of Windows Mobile to have a full IE8 browser on board. And Firefox on some Linux or other manufacturer handsets can’t be too far away.
This convergence of mobile devices with the “full” capability of an Internet browser means computing capabilities and “the web” moves further away from being connected to home PCs and systems and closer to being constant presence at your side. The reality of cloud computing giving you always-on support means science fiction personal assistants are that much closer to reality.
Second, Chrome lets Google explore the next generation of security issues - so called man-in-the-browser malware that subverts the “what you see is what you get” concept people expect when using computers. Instead, these next generation attacks hide between what the user sees and what the software actually does. A purposeful browser might be able to avoid or prevent some of these kinds of attacks. This is an area the World Wide Web Consortium and the Financial Services Technology Consortium have been looking at for some time. And since the security of online transactions is critical, it is an area where we’ll be supporting viable ideas that enhance security for our customers and the Internet community. What ideas do you have?
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January 6th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Todd, seeing Chrome’s focus on the separate sandboxes, etc. from a security point of view is great. We’ve all be dealing with the vagaries of a too-powerful client-side Javascript for years that, when coupled with weak browsers, provide useful exploits.
The big item I see still remaining on the list is perhaps the most basic - the dependency on username/password authentication. Human gullibility in coughing up their credentials remains at the top of the list of true vulnerabilities.
Scott
January 7th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I think the world needs as many browser (and OS) wars as possible. The browser war between IE and Firefox is pretty much the only reason why IE got its ass in gear and implemented features such as tabbed browsing.
Also, having a large number of browsers (and -again- OSs) segments the customers so an attack’s effects are minimized (i.e. preventing Monocropping).
One issue that freaks me out -and the main reason why I don’t use Chrome, is that Google is holding on to way too much personal information about me. Cnet has a really good article on Google’s anonymization policy here http://is.gd/2G3p .
Oh BTW, kudos on launching a blog.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Hi guys Congratulations on the launch of blogs, we at Kotak have been toying with the idea.
The content in the blog is great.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Hi Todd,
This is a great read. Convergence and security is definately core aspects of this browser. I also see this move by Google as a strategic one to increase its competitive advantage. All of Google’s applications run on web browsers which means Google makes money as long as web browsers are in play. It simply makes sense for Google to enter the market so it can influence modifications in future browsers and their standards. You may want to check this link out: http://technology.razorfish.com/2008/09/03/google-chrome/
Salim Hemdani
January 7th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Third. Search strategy. Google can now use Chrome to make robots tasks using desktops as others competitors.
For me, this is the main reason.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:36 am
I think one item missed is the battle for the desktop. With Google Chrome and Google Apps you come one step closer to locking out Microsoft.