Google join the browser race

Following on the heels of last week’s release of Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, Google has launched a beta of its own browser, called Chrome, for Windows. So far it looks like a very good first entry into the market and while there are issues with some types of multimedia content (the Silverlight site says it’s not compatible) and some sites don’t work because they don’t recognise the user agent string, it’s definitely worth a look.

google.com/chrome

Addendum: Check out the comments regarding the unusual install location. The way it’s installed means you can just move the Chrome folder and you’ve got a portable app! 🙂

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About Jonathan

Windows Server infrastructure administrator at Newcastle University since 1999. Microsoft MVP for Cloud and Datacenter Management (& previously for PowerShell). Member of the Microsoft Technical Community Council. Co-founder of the NEBytes user group. @jonoble on Twitter.

6 thoughts on “Google join the browser race

  1. There isn’t a Vista x64 specific version, but the normal 32-bit version appears to work fine.

    There is some odd behavior under Vista, the default behavior installs Crome to C:Users[user name]AppDataLocalGoogleChromeApplication in Vista for some reason, instead of in Program Files or Program Files (x86).

  2. I’m impressed with it but the install is indeed unusual – you don’t need admin rights to install in Vista or XP. The application itself and preferences go in Local Settings in XP and AppDataLocal in Vista. At least it won’t fill up anyone’s roaming profile!

    Gerry

  3. I thought that one of you guys would have mentioned that because the install works like that, you can just grab the Chrome folder, which contains the Application and User Data folders and you’ve got a portable app! 🙂

  4. It doesn’t work without the install – but there are some portable versions available. You can specify where the prefs etc. come from with the –user-data-dir= option but unfortunately that includes the cache folder.

    Gerry

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