Google plug-in builds Chrome browser into IE

(Credit: Google)

Google released an Internet Explorer plug-in Tuesday designed to let Microsoft's browser use the features and performance of Google's own Chrome browser.

The software, called Google Chrome Frame, lets IE 6, 7, or 8 use Chrome to render Web pages and execute their JavaScript programs, Google said. To use it, people must install the open-source plug-in, currently in the developer preview stage, and Web developers must insert a line of code onto their Web sites that engages Chrome Frame when a person visits the site.

"For users, installing Google Chrome Frame will allow them to seamlessly enjoy modern Web apps at blazing speeds, through the familiar interface of the version of IE that they are currently using," said Google programmer Alex Russell and product manager Mike Smith in a blog post.

But the plug-in might needle its rival more than revolutionize Web browsing. For one thing, it takes a long time to get a lot of Web developers to update their sites. For another, how many people dissatisfied with IE's performance haven't already installed a higher-powered browser?

Google argues that the feature will appeal to some folks, though, including people in corporate settings who might not have a choice of browser and people who prefer IE's interface, said spokesman Eitan Bencuya. And people are familiar with plug-ins as a way to expand what browsers can do.

"It's a much lower barrier to entry than switching browsers," Bencuya said.

He added that Google has built support for the feature into one of its own Web sites, the Google Wave project that's a hybrid of e-mail, instant messaging, and wiki collaboration.

[mjconver]

Wow, isn't that just special? Two browsers without Adblock! Double the spam!

[iertry]

Not everybody cares about adblock. Running it is actually damaging to the websites you visit as it hinders their revenue flow. If you want to see good content on the web you really shouldn't be blocking ads. Or you should be willing to pay a subscription. Nothing is free.

[cidman2001]

I was an early user of Chrome and I've never seen any increase in spam...even without Adblock. I would suggest not visiting so many adult sites....lol!

[snigglepop]

Spam? How does seeing ads on web sites increase your spam? And why would it increase if you use an different browser some of the time? You seem to be very confused.

[forever4now]

Wow! Now that is cool!

This will allow company employees to:
1. browser the internet, with a modern, standards compliant browser (web developers will love this!!).
2. still have access to their IE-specific apps & websites.

[NewsReader_]

Smart move.

Google realizes that they cannot force Chrome down the throats of the enterprise. They are also acknowledging IE as the dominant browser; regardless of why it is dominant. Since thier ultimate goal is to server up ads, it makes perfect sense to enable that in as many places as possible.

[explodingzebras]

or you could just use Chrome....or Firefox or Opera...

[jake3373]

Not at work :(

[lukesaysmoo]

In the next year my employer is going to start rolling out blocks to anything that isn't the "approved" IE version (currently 6.0). So Chrome Frames will be awesome assuming I'm able to get the plugin to work...

[paulej]

I suspect that Chrome Frames will advertise a User Agent string indicating that it's Chrome. The intent was not to bypass some kind of blocking that an idiotic IT department might do, but to enable functionality inside a browser that lacks that needed functionality. So, part of the browser window might show content, while the Chrome frame might not. Or, perhaps the chrome frame actually occupies all of the browser window (i.e., Chrome effective is the browser). In that case, you'll see nothing with if content is blocked.

[mattumanu]

"haven't already installed a higher-powered browser already? "

Brought to you by the department of redundancy department.

[crazykillller]

This is really useful for people who cant get away from Internet Explorer( whether its for people at office or schools). Though I dont think from a bussiness point of view this is a good option for Google as people will still remain on Internet Explorer

[MadLyb]

"...Web developers must insert a line of code onto their Web sites that engages Chrome Frame when a person visits the site"

Ummm...yeah, I am sure every site owner is out there today updating their site for Chrome.

[forever4now]

If their site:
- is designed to render best with a standards-compliant browser,
- uses a lot of JavaScript,
- is expecting to implement HTML5 (video, etc.),
they will probably want to update their site.

Besides, web developers, in general, would LOVE to get away from always having to make IE-specific kludges, to their site. If putting in one line of code helps to get closer to achieving this, I'm sure they'll do it.

[john55440]

With a good computer and a high-speed internet connection, IE8 already loads web pages for me almost instantly, so I don't need any Chrome plug-in.

In addition, I have Firefox installed on my system as an emergency backup browser. If I didn't like IE8, I would use that.

I have zero interest in anything Chrome.

[forever4now]

Is not only about the speed. It's also about standards-compliance.

Try the following Acid3 test on IE8 (or earlier):

http://acid3.acidtests.org/

These are the results you can expect, from the major browsers:

Chrome 2.0 - 100/100
Safari 4.0 - 100/100
Opera 10 - 100/100
Firefox 3.5.3 - 93/100
IE 8 - 20/100

An even more interesting comparison:
iPhone 3GS - 100/100
Zune HD - 5/100

See how poorly Microsoft browsers do.

You really should consider using Firefox, the plug-in or any other modern browser. If not for you, do it for web developers. They constantly have to kludge their sites, to accommodate IE.

[Shankland]

There are other reasons you might want to try newer browsers besides page-load speed. Among them are JavaScript execution performance, support for canvas tag for vector graphics, support for audio and video tags (not compelling at this stage IMO), local storage (offline Gmail is the most compelling reason for this so far IMO). Those are all headed for Firefox and Safari or already there, so Chrome isn't the only choice. Personally, I expect IE will get these features eventually (after a good long wait) since Microsoft now is engaged in HTML 5 discussions.

[jake3373]

As a web developer, I HATE having to add hacks and more lines of code JUST so my standards-compliant XHTML site will display in IE.

[FANAT1C]

This is a useless plugin. But then again chrome is a redundant browser anyways.

what im really interested in is a chrome IETAb so i can view my work pages in chrome tabs too.

[skyscraperjim]

This is a great option for getting IE (especially v.6) to render websites the way a modern browser does, however I predict that few IE users will actually install it.

[forever4now]

Now that there will essentially be no excuse for using a non-standards-compliant browser, on the internet, perhaps the major websites will start blocking them all together. I know it is a risk for the websites, but in the long run, it will result in significantly less website development & maintenance for everyone.

[michael_j_x]

"how many people dissatisfied with IE's performance haven't already installed a higher-powered browser? "
are you asking us to do the research for you? here you go:
http://gs.statcounter.com/
I hope you can understand graphs

[oby3000]

oh ya ad block plus is the best cant live without it and hey its not like they can tell if your blocking there ads so they still are paying the sites to keep them there

There is a browser that is really not that bad that will allow you to switch between IE trident engine, FireFox geckgo engine and Chrome webkit engine in one browser. It has some it's limitations but a very good concept. It is so far good on resources. It is called Lunascape 5. Bing it,or Google it or Yahoo it and try it out.

[slapppy]

I wonder if Chrome will work with ActiveX and Sharepoint pages?

[sarareid2]

I feel nice to wonder that Microsoft's IE display pages with Chrome technology. I found that Google has a plan to drag IE into the world of modern browsing by building a pluging that will allow it to use Chrome's HTML renderer and high-performance JavaScript engine. I wish best of luck to all who are working.

<a href=?http://www.zoombits.fr/jeux/?>jeu psp</a>

[jackdaniels08]

Wow, this is so awesome! In our school, the browser they use is IE. Now students will be able to take advantage of Google Chrome's imbedded technology of awesomeness.

[forever4now]

Global governments should do their part, to promote open web standards, by requiring all government agencies still utilizing IE to install this plug-in (or alternatively, upgrade to a modern web browser).

This would:
1. Bring government browsers into compliance, with the latest modern web standards.
2. Increase agency workforce efficiency (faster page loading, JavaScript execution, ...).
3. Improve page rendering on websites designed to render best with a standards-compliant browser.
4. Enable web developers to begin utilizing HTML5 (offline mode, video, etc.) on government intra-nets.
5. Set a great example for the global internet community (consumers AND businesses).

Ideally, educational institutions should take the same steps.

[sevensixtytwo]

Google limited the HUGE potential of its plugin by implementing the meta tag requirement to make it active. They should make it work permanently and force EVERY IE user to install it by introducing heavy access limitations for it's own sites: Google Search & YouTube. Since almost everyone uses both services the web technology leap would be extreme for sure. BTW I don't criticise ppl for using IE, but if they wanna still use it they really should take that little effort to install the plugin and make technology progress possible...

Just let those crappy M$ web rendering engines die.

[kennboy]

WOAH WOAH WOAH, sevensixtytwo, that's Borderline Dictatorship! Forcing EVERY IE USER would be crazy, if google is lucky they would just be hacked, crashed and critized. Never think of something like that again!

[Jesant13]

I think this is pretty cool. Apparently Microsoft doesn't like it though.