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| Google Brushes Chrome for a Beta Release by Al Hilwa, IDC On September 2, 2008, at noon, Google released the beta version of a new open source Internet browser. The Browser category has been a sleeper category since the dissolution of Netscape, but has recently been in resurgence bolstered by the proliferation of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs), the emergence of useful online services for consumers and the increased world-wide adoption of Broadband Internet access. Does the World Need Another Browser? To answer this one need only respond to the following: Is using a browser easy enough for your parent, secure enough for your child, or private enough for you? In fact, we are all in need for much innovation to make the Web easier, faster, more secure, and more private. Additionally, it can be argued that much of the complexity of programming RIAs today is traceable to the failure of browsers to address the lack of a more comprehensive programming model that encompasses vector graphics, animation, asynchronous behavior, and video. It should be noted that activity around the browser market has definitely intensified with Mozilla's release of Firefox 3 and Microsoft's impending release of Internet Explorer 8. The browser area is heating up and browser vendors have demonstrated the intent to address common browsing problems as well as leverage the opportunity afforded by this important gateway-to-the-Internet catagory. While Google Chrome should not be seen as the remedy for all the Web's ills, Google has taken a more architecturally divergent approach compared to the existing players. Looking Behind the Chrome With Chrome, which is a project so far two years in the making, Google takes a "start-from-scratch" approach to the browser category. While Chrome appears and behaves differently from other browsers, it also departs from today's browsers by offering multiprocessing capabilities amongst its different tasks (called tabs). As such, it utilizes technology that has historically been associated with Operating Systems to create isolation between different browser tabs with the aim of improved crash-resistance and security. The security capabilities also ensue from a new sandbox model that strengthens what is typically available today from other browsers. Google departs from the monolithic browser architectures by separating the browser's kernel from the rendering engine thereby thwarting certain types of attacks which rely on unpatched vulnerabilities of the rendering engine by further isolating the browser kernel. However, this security architecture does not extend to RIAs that utilize the functionality of plugins such as Java, Flash and Silverlight, which generally escape Chrome's security architecture. Incognito – Caveat Emptor The broad adoption of a new browser will depend mostly on Google's distribution model and partnerships beyond the power-user and developer. However, key capabilities such as speed, ease-of-use, security and robustness can also drive adoption. One such new feature, referred to as "Incognito Mode" allows browsing without leaving a history or a cookie trace to avoid polluting the machine with personal information or otherwise harmful remnants of software. While it's regrettable name might suggests that the browser will somehow attempt to obfuscate the IP address of the client PC or even assure that search records are not kept on Google properties, this is in fact not the case. The feature enables privacy from family members or other sharers of the PC, but sites visited Incognito will continue to record any data entered by the visiting IP address, subject to their record keeping and privacy policies. It should be noted that Microsoft is promising a similar feature, called Private Browsing, in IE8. More Work for Programmers It is important for Google to provide excellent compatibility in implementation of Web standards in Chrome. Web developers are already saddled with a formidable list of browsers to test against and the state of compatibility amongst the different browsers remains troublesome despite vendors' best efforts. Thus, despite its appeal, a new browser will be viewed is added complexity for developers. Mixing Good Intentions with Business Motives On the whole, Chrome is a commendable effort by Google to improve the lot of the browsing experience. It represents a significant strategic reach into the platform space by a company which depends on a viable and vital Internet. Because the monetizing of this expensive development effort will have to come in the form of ties and connections to Google's other online services, there will be great temptation to muddy the relatively tidy divide we have today between the browser and online services. In particular it allows a vendor to collect disturbingly detailed information about browsing habits, visited sites, searched words, etc… While Google is not unique in providing a browser and online services (beaten to this by Microsoft), both vendors will have the burden of trust laid on their shoulders if Web browsing to evolve from its current Wild West status. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Computing News :: home page |