Friday, September 05, 2008

Will Google Chrome paint Microsoft into a corner?

Google recently announced their Chrome browser. They released a beta version that lacks many of the planned features, but they claim that it is more stable and secure than the competition, and explain why that is so in this neat comic book presentation.

They also say JavaScript programs run very fast when using Chrome. Chrome trounces other browsers when running benchmarks that Google designed. In some other benchmarks, it is still faster than Firefox and much faster than Internet Explorer.

When does JavaScript speed matter? We discuss dynamic Web applications, in which programs are downloaded to the client when the user visits a Web site. Those programs are typically written in JavaScript, so they will run much faster on Chrome than Internet Explorer.

Google is betting on network applications, and speed is critical if their networked word processor, spreadsheet, and other programs are to compete with Microsoft Office. A networked word processor or spreadsheet program has advantages over a stand-alone program like Word or Excel, but also has disadvantages, one of which is being slow. If Google Docs runs a lot faster with Chrome than current browsers, it will appeal to more people, and perhaps eat into Microsoft's very profitable Office sales.

If Chrome is a lot faster than Internet Explorer, customers will adopt it. But, ironically, if Microsoft counters by improving the speed of Internet Explorer, they will hurt Office sales.

Microsoft Office is sold by their Business Division, where fiscal 2008 consumer revenue dipped 2 percent, or $80 million. Microsoft analyst Joe Wilcox thinks this is the start of a "gradual, but later rapid decline." Faster browsers will accelerate the decline.

As communication technology improves, will Google's network application strategy gain or lose advantage over stand-alone software? How about improvement in storage technology? How about improvement in electronic technology?

3 comments:

  1. I think what will really matter is how well Chrome supports w3c standards, accessibility and Web 2.0 framework.

    A look at web development jobs at dice.com reveals how important all of the above is today.

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chrome is Google’s new sleek web browser. Even though it is only a beta version, it is an easy browser to like. With a streamlined design, fast rendering of WebPages, ability to create web applications from any website, the list goes on and on.

    Chrome is a low-frills, light-weight, stable (for me) beta quality release. High points are the simple design, easy import of FF/IE bookmarks, and (promise of) greater performance. Low points are beta level completeness in UI, and few of the familiar frills from IE or Firefox. There are big bets in here that challenge existing browsers, but will take several versions to fulfill.

    Lately Google created there very own personalized browser Google Chrome. This is kind of funny because the browser itself does not contain the Google toolbar. I downloaded it last week and it was fast. I should say everything is fast in its beta stage and then it gets to destroy your mood and browsing experience after a few months. Last week as I was using Google Chrome I noticed that it does not allow me to cut and paste after I uploaded photos and images at Blogger blog site which is normally allowed by Firefox and Internet Explorer. The browser looks like Opera but emptier. If you want to try this you may download it now. Later if you see "page not load" problems please don't blame your internet service provider for it. It could be your browser failing to function properly. Try to use a different older browser first to know which one is causing the loading error.

    Argueta
    twinkyjessica@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chrome is Google’s new sleek web browser. Even though it is only a beta version, it is an easy browser to like. With a streamlined design, fast rendering of WebPages, ability to create web applications from any website, the list goes on and on.

    Chrome is a low-frills, light-weight, stable (for me) beta quality release. High points are the simple design, easy import of FF/IE bookmarks, and (promise of) greater performance. Low points are beta level completeness in UI, and few of the familiar frills from IE or Firefox. There are big bets in here that challenge existing browsers, but will take several versions to fulfill.

    Lately Google created there very own personalized browser Google Chrome. This is kind of funny because the browser itself does not contain the Google toolbar. I downloaded it last week and it was fast. I should say everything is fast in its beta stage and then it gets to destroy your mood and browsing experience after a few months. Last week as I was using Google Chrome I noticed that it does not allow me to cut and paste after I uploaded photos and images at Blogger blog site which is normally allowed by Firefox and Internet Explorer. The browser looks like Opera but emptier. If you want to try this you may download it now. Later if you see "page not load" problems please don't blame your internet service provider for it. It could be your browser failing to function properly. Try to use a different older browser first to know which one is causing the loading error.

    Argueta
    twinkyjessica@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete