Top Secret Plans for the Google Chrome Browser

 

After pressure and the mention of Microsoft during the Sept 2, 2008 press conference, Google finally capitulated and gave up their top secret plans for Chrome. 

Their explanation?

Google gets to all of their users through a browser. It’s an important part of their ecosystem. 

Given that most users think the web is synonymous with Internet Explorer, the competing product given away on almost every computer for free, Google wanted to stimulate competition and help keep the browser ecosystem vibrant.

The more people are using the web and the Internet, the better Google’s business. In other words, any improvement in browsers is good for Google. 

If the browser is faster, and people can get in 20% more browsing each day, plus the proportional amount of additional searching, Google wins. 

Finally most people don’t know they have a choice of browsers and Google wanted to have a voice in the process. 

Sounds good in theory….I still think the fact that most of Google’s business funnels through Internet Explorer is a scary proposition for Google. 

Anyone else remember the rumors (and fact?) of Microsoft intentionally sabotaging applications running on DOS/Windows? (if you’ve forgotten…check out this article http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/11/05/how_ms_played_the_incompatibility/)