Google Finishes and Releases Chrome
Google has finally taken the ‘beta’ label off of their browser Chrome and put a stamp of approval on it, releasing it as a direct challenge to Internet Explorer from Microsoft. The company, who is known to leave new software in the test mode for long periods of time, says that Chrome has proved its merits in about 100 days, while Gmail still bears the ‘beta’ label after being launched for 5 years.
Chrome has been through 15 iterations since it was launched with modifications and fixes based on feedback from the more than 10 million people across the globe that have been using the browser. Linus Upson, Google engineering director, and Sundar Pichai, Google product management vice president, wrote in a post online that they are excited to announce that they are taking the ‘beta’ label off Chrome in its 50th release. They added that their goals for performance and stability have been met; however, their work is still far from done.
Google has also announced that they will release the Chrome Operating System. The system will be loaded onto consumer netbooks during the second half of 2010, according to the company on Tuesday. They say they will work with many computer manufacturers to deliver Chrome OP to consumers. This is yet another direct attack on Microsoft.
Microsoft and Google have been battling each other in an escalating software war. Microsoft has been trying to pull Google down from its seat as king of advertising and internet searching. Meanwhile, Google has striked the heart of the empire Microsoft has built by offering free software online and supporting their services with advertising.