Google take on Firefox and Internet Explorer with Google Chrome

Google have joined the browser wars with the beta launch of their first ever browser.

Download Google Chrome and take it for a spin - let us know what you think.

Google Chrome features:

Incognito mode

Google Chrome offers an incognito browsing mode for when ever you want to browse in stealth mode. This sounds alot like the ‘porn mode’ in Internet Explorer 8, which I haven’t had a chance to review yet. When you browse the web in incognito mode nothing will be logged in your browsing and download histories; all new cookies are deleted after you close the incognito window. You can also browse normally on another window while browsing in incognito mode.

Any changes to general settings or bookmarks while browsing in incognito mode will be saved.

New Tab page

When ever you open a new tab, Google Chrome preloads it with the web resources you use most often. To open a New Tab, click the + icon next to the last tab or press Ctrl+T to quickly open the New Tab. Here is a list of the Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts.

The New Tab page provides image thumbnails and links for websites you visit on a regular basis.

Right-click a website to access options to open it in another new tab, in a new window, or in incognito mode. Click the Show full history link at the bottom of the page to see your entire browsing history in Google Chrome.

Address bar

By far one of the best features in Google Chrome is the address bar.  The address bar doubles as a search box, you can also use it to bookmark websites and keep informed of the security of any website you’re about to visit. Type your search query in the address bar, and it automatically suggests related queries and popular websites, based on your input.

Begin typing a website URL and as you type, Google Chrome automatically searches your browsing history and shows you the number of matches at the bottom of its drop-down menu.

Final thoughts

Google Chrome is a lot faster than the other browsers. looks very nice and the UI is great. I believe Google are onto a winner with this browser. They have a massive following and are so popular on the internet; that will see a huge number of users adopting Google Chrome. This shows how popular Google is at the moment. I found out about Google Chrome on the same day they leaked a comic book to the world, yet I have only just found out Internet Explorer 8 has been out for over a week as a Beta 2!

I only have one question for Google - when will the Mac version be available?

As soon as the Mac version is available I will make it my main browser for a few weeks to see how it compares with Firefox 3 on the Mac. Until then I will just have to use it on my PC at work. Ohh that reminds me, today I found out you can install Google Chrome even if you don’t have admin rights on that PC - let me know if anyone else comes across that. I’m currently doing some work for a big UK bank and I know I don’t have admin rights on my PC, but somehow it allowed me to install it. Weird but very cool.

Then do it already!

Download Firefox 3 now and enjoy increased security, blinding speed and cool new features that will change the way you use the Web!