Google Chrome September 2008

Google Chrome first look

Google has launched an early version of its first Web browser - Google Chrome - that offers a new way to surf the web, and best of all it's free. We downloaded Google Chrome and took it for a first look test drive to give our first impressions of Google's first web browser.

Shiny, new, simple, stylish and sophisticated… These are just some of the reasons why Google’s first attempt at a web browser is deserving of its name Chrome.

Downloading the 'beta' or test version of the Chrome browser from www.google.com/chrome was straightforward enough. Click on the Download chrome button, save the file and then click Run.

Google’s clearly pre-empted any allegations of anti-competitiveness during the installation progress. Various onscreen prompts ask you whether it’s OK to import bookmarks and passwords from Internet Explorer and whether you want to add Chrome shortcuts to your computer desktop, Quick Launch bar or Start menu.

It even asked us whether we wanted to change our default search engine from – you guessed it – Google.

Interestingly, there’s no obvious prompt to set Google as your default browser. This is arguably a wise move by Google, but a bit of a shame as after an initial first look we think you’d be crazy not to set Chrome up as the default browser.

Simple interface

The Chrome interface is crisp and clutter-free compared with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. A simple star icon beside the address bar allows you to create instant favourites or bookmarks. Aside from that there are just two simple toolbars attached to the browser.

When you open a new tab, rather than showing you a blank screen Chrome presents a series of nine thumbnails of your most-visited websites. You’re also presented with a list of bookmarks, recently closed tabs and recent searches.

The Chrome interface is crisp and clutter-free

One neat trick is that if you decide you want to remove a tab and run it as a separate window you can simply drag and drop it elsewhere.

Powerful effects

However, there’s a whole lot more to this browser than first meets the eye.

Searching

Chrome doesn’t include a dedicated search box but instead tries to combine searching and the address bar in one tool that Google calls the Omnibox.

If you type words into the address bar, Chrome attempts to second-guess what you’re looking for. Start typing ’Christmas’ for example, and you’ll see various suggestions, the first of which included the not-especially-helpful Christian Bale when we tried this out.

You can also search websites straight from the Omnibox. So you could bring up the previously visited www.amazon.co.uk, hit the tab button and search for a product using the Amazon search engine.

Web applications

Equally useful is the ability to transfer web applications to your computer using Chrome. Visit Google Maps at www.google.com/maps, for example, and click the down arrow by the page icon (immediately to the right of the address bar) and click Create application shortcuts. You can then choose to add the web app to your desktop, Quick Launch bar or Start menu.

While this worked a treat for GoogleMaps, when we tried it with another web-based application we were told the browser wasn’t able to do this; hopefully this is merely a glitch that will be ironed out during the testing stage.

Google also claims Chrome is more reliable than its competitors. For instance it includes a feature called Crash Control, which means if one of the web pages within your browser crashes the other tabs will remain active.

Safety and security

Chrome also offers you the opportunity to travel the web incognito, using a feature imaginatively titled Incognito. Click the down arrow by the icon to the side of the address bar and choose ‘new incognito window’. Any browsing you do in this window won’t be logged in your browser or download histories.

Google claims this is so you can ‘plan birthday surprises’ for people without being caught out. We think it’s a great tool for accessing secure sites such as your bank account of personal webmail where you don’t want others seeing your login details. However, we fear that a minority could view it as a tool to put to more sinister purposes.

Chrome will also flash up warnings if you’re visiting a suspected phishing website.

Which? verdict

It’s early days for Chrome but if anyone has the clout to take on Microsoft, which owns the lion’s share in the browser market, then it’s Google. Many consumers already believe Google is the internet with some reports suggesting one in four websites is accessed as a click through from Google.

We wonder how long it’ll be before the statistics say one in four people use the Chrome browser. If first looks are anything to go by, it won’t be long.

Pros: Fast, uncluttered web browser that's free to download and offers some innovative features

Cons: Not yet finished so expect some instability, only works with Windows at present