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September 1, 2008 4:59 PM PDT

Google Chrome update: First screenshot, and live-blog alert

by Rafe Needleman
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The Web site for Google's new open-source Chrome browser is slowly waking up. As I first began writing this post, there was a logo, a single screenshot (below), a link to a broken video, and a non-functioning download link. The page now redirects to Google.com, though.

The company is hosting a press conference at its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters Tuesday at 11 a.m. PDT. I will be there and will live blog. Sign up for a reminder in the box at right, or just show up on Webware.com.

Previous coverage:
The Chrome is out of the bag: Google's browser arrives Tuesday.
Google 'starting from scratch' with own browser, Chrome.

This is Google's first screenshot of Chrome.

Click here for full coverage of the Google Chrome launch.

Rafe Needleman writes about start-ups, new technologies, and Web 2.0 products, as editor of CNET's Webware. E-mail Rafe.
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Browsers and extensions

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (54 Comments)
by daniel stern September 1, 2008 5:59 PM PDT
Outstanding. I want to purchase a Mac and only thing that keeps me from it is ie7. I need to access a web powered software (SaaS) application that I use for my business. It only works on ie7..... I hope Chrome can be an option
Reply to this comment
by GeorgeMcBay September 2, 2008 2:43 AM PDT
Chrome is built on Webkit which is the same core as Safari for the Mac. Even when there is a Mac version, it almost certainly won't help you. However, you can still buy a Mac and use Boot Camp, VMWare or Parallels to run Windows and IE7 on it.
by Shaxxie September 2, 2008 4:53 AM PDT
You can get Safari on the PC
by purdymouth September 2, 2008 5:24 AM PDT
Any mac with enough memory will comfortably run Windows in the background using Parallels or Fusion, this will let you run INternet Explorer in it's own window within OS X and you can pretend Windows isn't there any more.
by mzacha September 2, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
No go with the google browser, but you might try using Opera.com for their browser. I use a mac and have found the applications which required IE work well. Plus Opera looks just like the new Google browser and has been around for a long time!
by transporter2000 September 2, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
I have a mac and use IE7 through VMWARE Fusion. Works great. If you don't want to buy VMWARE fusion, you can always use Sun's Virtual Box for free... <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.virtualbox.org/" target="_newWindow">http://www.virtualbox.org/</a>
by rafe September 1, 2008 6:21 PM PDT
Daniel, I hate to tell you this, but Chrome will be for Windows only at first. I am sure Google is working on Mac and especially Linux versions (so they can nab the embedded market) though.
Reply to this comment
by n3td3v September 1, 2008 7:36 PM PDT
Privacy mode could raise an electronic flag, that helps the government track down bad people. In other words, you could be drawing more attention to yourself in privacy mode than you would be in standard mode. <br /><br />I don't know if the browser has a way to signal to Google that you are in privacy mode, or if that will come in the future, if the government start to demand to know who is using privacy mode and what sites they are visiting with it.<br /><br />Just keep it in mind...
Reply to this comment
by codevalley September 2, 2008 1:41 AM PDT
by khallman September 2, 2008 6:59 AM PDT
To the outside world, privacy mode should just look like any browser with cookies turned off. I don't think that's a big legal concern for anyone. The government AND Google still want to track you, but they'll have your IP address and any other log information from sites you visited. Privacy mode cannot obscure that. Privacy mode would basically prevent actions from being recorded on your local machine, and prevent (others from) tying your session between multiple sites via the use of cookies. You could turn off cookies on your browser today, and it wouldn't raise any special "electronic flags"....nor obscure your actions on the Internet enough that you could really avoid the eye in the sky....
by ooPJoo September 2, 2008 7:17 AM PDT
Since Safari has had this option for quite some time, I don't think this is something to get too excited about.
by eltoro2827 September 1, 2008 9:02 PM PDT
Ahh, google is trying to on its way on doing what ms was slapped for trying to do....become all powerful.<br />I'm not impressed with google's products...in my opinion they suck.
Reply to this comment
by phosos September 2, 2008 9:14 AM PDT
And most of the world thinks your opinion sucks.
by Savido September 1, 2008 9:07 PM PDT
I'm afraid that Chrome will allows follow of annoying ads. Anyway lets open the bag
Reply to this comment
by Mr. Dee September 1, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
I don't want the porn sites I recently visited to be first thing I see when I open my browser. Bad move already. And when you take into consideration, the hundreds of plug ins that are tied to the IE platform, not even Firefox has experienced yet, Google will have a long way to go with this effort. I will definitely download it and add it to my collection, but it won't replace Firefox or the venerable IE anytime soon. IE 8 is also growing on me, its a clean interface, strong set of features that will surely keep me in its fold. But again, this entrance by Google should tell us something, Google has big ambitions, and the 'Do no evil' mantra is pretty much thrown out the window. Google is here to dominate. I pray Microsoft is there to keep them under control. Apple should make a good mediator.
Reply to this comment
by rubinsch September 2, 2008 12:30 AM PDT
That's why they are introducing a 'Privacy window'. Microsoft isnt actually bent on providing you a decently STRONG platform. They just give you the, as you call it 'clean interface', but not the 'strong' set of features - 'pleasing' probably, but certainly not strong. I am an ardent fan of Mozilla. Knowing the track record of Google, they'll probably keep their products closer to the stronger and popular line of browsers, like Mozilla. So I would expect them to have thought of providing support for all those plugins that currently work in Mozilla. Anyway, once Chrome is out for us to see, all these doubts will vanish. moreover, Google will be working onthem to improve them constantly - one good thing about competition...;-0
by skywaystudios September 2, 2008 5:51 AM PDT
Well if you read the features of their browser you would know that google have included a 'Private browsing' for when you're looking at your porn which shows no record of the website and deletes all cookies etc after the session is closed. Just thought I'd drop that in there! I think it's gonna rock :)
by ooPJoo September 2, 2008 7:18 AM PDT
Then browse in privacy mode and they will not get stored in your history.
by khallman September 2, 2008 8:10 AM PDT
The fact that you think IE is a competitive browser, even IE8... proves you're unqualified to judge browsers. And although I firmly believe any company that has the motto "don't be evil" is nothing but pure evil... This time around I don't know how much that really has to do with it. I think they have a legitimate issue with the existant browsers, considering that they are probably one of the most prominent users of massive Javascript codebases, and current browser technology wasn't initially designed for that.
by Ovakyll September 2, 2008 10:09 AM PDT
"I don't want the porn sites I recently visited to be first thing I see when I open my browser. Bad move already."<br /><br /><br />LOL! Here! Here!
by mzacha September 2, 2008 11:18 AM PDT
Opera's browser looks similar to the new google one and doesn't have the issue you fear. You choose you top sites which are displayed on the home page.
by zubinwadia September 1, 2008 10:30 PM PDT
Lots of thoughts here in addition to this analysis:<br /><br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://zwadia.com/?p=52" target="_newWindow">http://zwadia.com/?p=52</a><br /><br />Good play overall from the Goog.
Reply to this comment
by SJ2571 September 1, 2008 10:51 PM PDT
Google is NOT doing what Microsoft got slapped for doing. Google is not an OS. That's the difference, doofus.
Reply to this comment
by shayneneal September 2, 2008 8:54 AM PDT
A monopoly is a monopoly - it isn't rocket science doofus. MS did NOT get sued for having a great or crappy OS - they were dragged through the mud because they had no competition and they went out of their way to keep it that way...<br /><br />If Google has a 50% market share next year with web browsers and they buy MS and stop selling IE - you will se Google in court for the same reason as Google. I can't see it happening. Google does not have a good track record for making money in any way other than selling shares or selling ads. <br /><br />I look forward to trying Chrome out though...<br /><br />Shayne
by ffarhann6 September 2, 2008 12:42 AM PDT
Its very interesting that Google has decided to take on a project like this. They obviously have such an interest in how people access the web, it was only a matter of time before they took things into their own hands. It is going to be very interesting to see how this pans out.<br /><br />Google Chrome browser Screenshots<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.tonesall.com/computers-internet/google-chrome-screenshots.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.tonesall.com/computers-internet/google-chrome-screenshots.html</a>
Reply to this comment
by timtak September 2, 2008 1:30 AM PDT
I have to disagree with SJ2571 <br /><br />Google Chrome can, and I believe will become an OS, in that it will take over the function of an OS.<br /><br />As web applications such as Google Docs, Gmail, Google SketchUp, Google/Picasa image editing, YouTube &#38; Eyespot video editing, online icon editors, and all the advanced online flash based games become more popular. Their growth will be fueled by the fact that they are for the most part free, and they run in the same way on any computer that the uses to log in. When that happens, for most intents and purposes the browser will be the OS since applications will all run inside it. <br /><br />The OS (Windows/linux/Apple OSs) will become akin to the firmware, or the DOS that existed underneath earlier versions of Windows. It will be there for those that need the greatest computer power, but fewer and fewer people will be bothered to use it. <br /><br />The fact that the Google Chrome is multitasing and the task tabs are at the top above the browser address signals this move to OS-ness. <br /><br />Google Chrome will have a tough time living up to the motto "do no evil," since it will do everything else.
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by wasabeee September 2, 2008 6:06 AM PDT
I agree with you timtak. Its "taking the step ahead" strategy. With internet speed reaching sky limits and SaaS becoming a standard across users, browser was a better option than a OS. But they made sure, they pack in a operating system like capabilities into their product, which is visionary and revolutionary.<br /><br />I believe Chrome is here to stay and the sandbox to become the standard for browsers of tomorrow :)
by magwa999 September 2, 2008 2:19 AM PDT
Another addition to cloud computing and the move to a new os. This is the function to add and improve on the web. Starting over as John Lennon once said is the way to go. But as comcrass and other isp's try to limit our usage it will be a challenge for all of them to make this move.
Reply to this comment
by mtoc September 2, 2008 2:39 AM PDT
mac user can bootcamp win/OS and use IE7 on win/XP , which is what I intend to do. the best of both worlds! suggest ex/HD formatted in FAT32 to access from both OSs.
Reply to this comment
by wsmithrill September 2, 2008 5:02 AM PDT
Why would you need to format the Disk to FAT32? Using VMWare Fusion you can access both disks / partitions from both OSs both using their native (XFS / NTFS) File systems. You can also boot into the XP or OSX using bootcamp as well as running XP within a window at very close to native speeds. Meaning you don't really even have to boot XP (I never do)
by LinuxRules September 2, 2008 3:04 AM PDT
Mr. Dee, M$ stoled all their ideas from everyone else, that is the only reason ie is what it is.
Reply to this comment
by MorningBit September 2, 2008 6:19 AM PDT
You're an idiot. Linux isn't exactly "free from theft". I don't think those little windows in Linux were exactly their own idea - in fact, Linux was originally a port from someone else's tech. So think before you speak.
by digitarius September 2, 2008 5:43 AM PDT
I find all these privacy concerns amusing. How can people be this paranoid about an OPEN SOURCE PRODUCT. You will be able to inspect the code, see exactly what it's doing, and build it yourself.<br /><br />More, they're encouraging people to do this! There are going to be thousands of nerds picking this thing clean the moment it's released. I, for one, am not worried about it phoning home to the government to place satellite laser signals in mah teef.
Reply to this comment
by MorningBit September 2, 2008 6:20 AM PDT
What you see as "open source" doesn't necessarily mean that the particular build given to the community at large will only contain what's given to the public source. Thanks, but Google knows too much about me already.
by clashcity1974 September 2, 2008 6:31 AM PDT
Digitarius -<br /><br />The problem with your comment is that you assume everyone has the desire, let alone the skill to "inspect the code, see exactly what it's doing, and build it yourself."<br /><br />Do you seriously believe that is what the majority of computer and internet users are looking for in a product?<br /><br />I certainly agree there is a large number of developers, tech enthusiasts, etc that love mucking around in source code and command-line shells to get it exactly as they desire.<br /><br />The reality is that there are far more Joe and Jane Public's out there who really could care less and just wants something that helps them get the task accomplished quickly.
by swannny September 2, 2008 6:03 AM PDT
Isn't this a rip off of Opera's Browser? Opera were the first tabbed browser and the first to add a speed dial! I think I'll stick with Opera, it's secure and has been around for a while in this form!
Reply to this comment
by hmig September 2, 2008 6:45 AM PDT
@n3td3v Safari has had privacy mode ... no one complains about it.<br />@timtak completly agree with you ... web os will be a kind of nice future, well why not with all the RIA' available ? it's just pushing the boundaries a little further.
Reply to this comment
by avista70 September 2, 2008 7:07 AM PDT
Here's a sequence of events that'll likely happen:<br /><br />1. People will download Chrome and hate it - like how people didn't warm up to Gmail, or iGoogle in the first place. There will be a few oddities that people find annoying.<br /><br />2. Over time, people will warm up to it. Google will also make changes/updates to Chrome.<br /><br />3. Before you know it, Chrome becomes the 2nd most popular browser<br /><br />The key point is this. Chrome kills two birds with one stone -&gt; 1. Everything Google does is web based, so it makes sense to own the application that gets people online and 2. There is a tremendous amount of revenue for browser based search queries. Every time people click on that search button and clicks on a sponsored listing, Google rings the cash register.
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by Mr. Dee September 2, 2008 7:10 AM PDT
SJ2571, it takes a doofus, to know a doofus. Your idea that Google is pristine shows how brain washed you are. Google is taking over each function once a feature of desktop operating systems. Googles intention is to stick it to Google, they are fans of Microsoft and they only want to be like them.
Reply to this comment
by David_Grossman September 2, 2008 8:44 AM PDT
I sure it will be a cool technology, but I really don't see then need they will be solving. I read their comic book, and I don't buy it. FireFox and even IE8 are answering many of the issues they bring up. I dont see the need for another browser with FireFox, IE8, and Opera out there. <br />This is simply a play for control of the tool and search bar, and home page.
Reply to this comment
by oomarty September 2, 2008 9:37 AM PDT
One thing is for sure. When the Bush Adm started spying on the American peoples stock deals opinions, banking records. political affiliations. Microsoft and everybody else said sure he have all the private things we as Americans hold dear and have nothing to do with terrorism. GOOGLE...... no not without a warrant. That's the way it should be if they have probable cause they should get the info but blanket searches are unconstitutional even if the President Demands it. GOOGLE stood up for the constitutional process and the people in front of a lot of heat I'm with them as long as they are in business. Not because i have anything to hide but they at least read our Constitution and were brave enough to say No. Not with out a warrant.
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by DarkHawke September 2, 2008 9:58 AM PDT
And they're also brave enough to regularly sell out Chinese dissidents to the Commies so that they can stay in the China market, not to mention allowing that same government to censor GOOGLE search results to further squelch free speech. Yeah, some kinda bravery, that.
by albruan September 2, 2008 11:24 AM PDT
Sure thing. Just rely on a company that conspires with Communist China to block their citizens' access to websites dealing with liberty and freedom. You don't think Google would do the same if they were ordered to do so by our government? Think again. They'll do anything to stay in business.
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