The killer feature of Google’s new Chrome web browser – combined search and address bar – will conquer IE. -

So far, the popular opinion on Google Chrome seems be positive. The tech blogs and aggregators are all yakking about it. But here's the thing: right now, Google Chrome isn't going to light a fire under your respective undersides, because it really isn't any faster than the other browsers. YET. Safari and Firefox load websites at a faster pace. However, on average, Chrome does load more quickly than IE, so that's a start. Really, the primary reason that Chrome is being touted as an IE slayer is because of Google's bet on the future of browsers and the future of ye olde Internet. As per usual, Google is trying to be "forward thinking" and "innovative" in their approach to browsers. Oh, those people at Google, when will they learn? The smart-alecks at Google believe that the current web browsers are lacking in their ability to manage JavaScript, what they believe to be the common language of all future Net applications/software. Their bet is that the Future will bring us a Web that will be navigated more easily by their JavaScripting, open-sourced browser. And they just might be right. David 1, Goliath 0. Another point for Chrome may be found in its simple design and user interface and in how much more advanced it is than old Safari. Finally, I'll say that if Google produces a version of Chrome for Macs, makes some corrections to glitches (like the ability to manage bookmarks), then we do indeed have an IE killer on our hands. And even if not, who doesn't like stoking the fire in the war between Google and Microsoft?

Firefox already offers that and IE is still not conquered.

I agree that Google's Chrome could become a contender, much like Firefox, but it is an uphill battle. Ultimately, it is not possible to dethrown IE since it is the defacto standard -- merely only battle for second place.

How many IE users consciously select that as their browser? Most of them use it because it's the default on their PC, and there's no reason to bother to change to something else. Like everything else in a PC, you learn to work around any shortcomings.

If Google can find a way to break THAT stranglehold, then there's potential. But the contest isn't based on functionality.

This isn't an IE killer. It's a nice browser, but it's not going to put any of the other browsers out of business. Contrary to "The Big Idea" today, other browsers feature the 'search from browser' capability, but I choose to turn it off. I think most people will miss their standard row of default menu buttons as well as their "home" button in the browser navigation. I know you can tell Chrome to place a HOME button back in the mix, but why leave it out by default in the first place?

I signed up for Chrome yesterday. I like it's speed and features. It has the potential to be number one.

Come on now, does anyone think IE will be displaced or used less than Google Chrome, Safari, or any other? Unless we are talking about geeks, which of course is another kettle of turtles altogether. Yes Chrome is lightning fast, but it is still in Beta, so let's see how it ends up. Carl D. states the case well also for most users never changing from what came on their PC. End of Story, Really!@

I think many still perceive (and use!)Google as an accessory "toolbar" and a "go-to" search engine rather than a fully integrated browser. For it to supercede IE, it needs to market itself aggressively as part of an integrated system (as has its competition), giving wider use-value to the search/address function and the already popular multi-search and content display.

As Carl said, Microsoft dominance is seldom based on functionality. Chrome can be fast, functional, and maybe even fashionable, but how many people will weed Microsoft out of the garden to make way for a new browser?

Perhaps in time, Chrome will take market share from IE in terms of user base. There will be meny, many people who will stay with IE as their browser, for many reasons, the least of which is familiarity.

In my own experience, while browsers and applications have become mulit-process and multi-threaded allowing multiple windows and/or threads, users have remained single-threaded when it comes to using a computer.

As far as the combined search and address bar is concerned, it is only one of the reasons I will be having a closer look at the Chrome browser

I don't like any of the current browsers and I use them all depending on my mood and some sites... I'm viewing this page on the latest Opera 9.52. I maybe mistaken but FireFox 3 seems slower every time I upgrade. IE is clunky but there are so many websites and OLAP (online analytical processing) that work simply better on IE. I use IE 7 50% of the time and because it's more consistent since most webmasters optimize for IE. But IE 7 bothers me most because it seems to be weaved into the operating system which to me red flags security. IE 7 is also amazingly slow. My simple test is starting the browser (clearing cache prior to timing and starting up), default page set to open my iGoogle page which has about 15 gadgets on it. IE 7 takes 20-22 seconds. Fire Fox 3 takes 7-8 seconds. Opera takes 3-5 seconds.

FYI - I'm running a middle of the road Toshiba laptop w/ 200 GB - 5400RPM HD, Intel Core2Duo T5550, 3 Gig Ram, Nvidia video card with dedicated 128MB.

Here's my idea and I'm giving it FREE to all you Internet Programmers (MS, Opera, FireFox, etc):

1. Provide high quality free adware, virus, and firewall that is tightly integrated for your browser.

2. Have 4 distinct interfaces which is easy to toggle to and fro: Technical, Business, Home, and Stupid. Even though I'm very savvy with the web, I'd welcome a STUPIDLY easy interface for 1/2 of my friends and family. Tech, Bus, and Home... you can be creative on. Stupid would be a browser with just Back/Forward/Home buttons. No refresh button since 1/2 of the people have no ideas hence force a refresh. Instead of having a main URL field box and a tiny ass search box to the right... Combine them both. Now you can put a direct URL there or do a direct search. Make a big button that says "GO". Get rid of the "STOP" button and make a "KILL" button. KILL Literally means kill whatever it's doing and exit the browser NOW.

3. With the said above of having an intergrated search and url field. Have the ability to choose 1, 2, or 4 search windows to view results from your chosen search companies. Ie. If I decide I like Yahoo and Google the most, when I do a search, results will be split into two distinct windows between Google and Yahoo. It would save me a shiot load of time.

4. Make FLASH a standard plug-in.

5. Work with Adobe to integrate PDF functions into the browser and work with Adobe to make the PDF plugin start instantly rather than taking forever to load prior to opening the PDF file.

6. Get serious with the Favorites. DO something like iTunes and make this feature more functional and easier for human beings to use.

7. Make the SSL key huge. If a site doesn't have proper SSL authentication, flag it big time.

8. Put a clock on the browser with time used during that session. I know that sounds wierd but if people see how much friggin time they are on the web, they would realize they should go out and get some sun. Time flies when you are watching porn, chatting, blogging, etc.

9. Integrate a simple word processor, wysiwyg web page maker, and email program. I use Outlook but something easy to manage my web based gmail, yahoo, msn, aol emails.

10. Have a REAL PARENT control system that doesn't allow adult content or de-activates social networks or times social network usage.

Anyways... Chrome isn't anything new or special. Just another browser.

Chrome is not tangibly faster. The "pros" end there.

Chrome has next to no functionality. A user who is on Firefox or Maxthon (IE) is there because of all the plugins and customized functionality. Chrome is a useless little gimmick for now. If I wanted the speed of its WebKit from Apple, I'd just use Safari which has more functionality than Chrome.

No cigar. Sorry.

very dissapointed with Google approach here. First of all, may I ask what is the benefit of having multiple borwsers on the market "other" than high costs of web-project adaptation both for web-company and the customer?? Instead of doing the work for IE browser, you have to multiply that work in order for it to run smooth under other browsers.
Dont get me wrong, I dont have FireFox, in fact - I think those people are genius! I meant: the marketing team that stands behind the vast popularity of the "fastest browser out there". We both know it is not truth - the fastest IS Safari, not even IE however IE on many ocasions IS faster than FireFox. Oh, somebody mentioned "security" - punch FF + that keyword in Google - you will see the list of cruicial for security bugs in FF that exist from 1999 and yet are unfixable. As of Chrome, I am dissapointed, it is just another browser. I wish Google would stand up and do what they do best - work on Search engine future. None of their additional project really worked out, just to mention Doodle, Video Google, Answers by Google done long time ago, even shopping sux!!

(+)I like the speed and independent multiple tabs. It also provides more screen space.
(-)A few sites could not be opened in Chrome.

Add ons structure of Mozilla Foundation is a killer. There are plenty of add ons (plugins) ready to be used with Firefox. Chrome couldnt get this advantage for a short period.