Do we really need another web browser?

I ask that question as Google prepares to unveil the beta version (Windows only as yet, Mac and Linux versions coming soon) of Google Chrome.

http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080901/the-entire-google-chrome-blog-announcement/

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html

And because it's Google, and Google likes to do things differently, they're introducing it with an online comic book. It's long.

http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html

Looks like a major technological upgrade from what we have now, all of which descends from the original NCSA Mosaic. Chrome is multithreaded to supposedly handle several tasks at once. If one browser tab crashes, Google claims that only that tab will have to be closed rather than the entire application. Shouldn't gobble up as much computer memory, either.

Wonder if somebody'll be able to write an ad-blocker for it?

Journalism ethics note: The reporter who is breaking the story is married to a Google executive. She's up front about it and says it won't and doesn't affect her reporting, but still ... it looks bad.

 

I'll be interested in trying Chrome, but if it doesn't have an ad blocker I'll probably stick with Firefox or Flock.

 

It's available for downloading now at google.com/chrome

 

Many of these "perks" that Chrome will do are already available in Opera.

 

Not the multithreading, not the Webkit base code. Has some UI similarities, but the heavy-duty stuff under the hood won't be in Opera.

 

Whoa, I just downloaded it on my work computer (didn't think it would allow me). It's faster than the Explorer I was using for sure.

 

I'll give it a shot. Just downloaded it and am trying it now. Firefox freezes up on me waaaaaay too much.

 

I tried it...not sure what the advantage is over Firefox.

 

Trying it now. I'm not really noticing a lot of compelling differences. The incognito window is nice -- Guy, was that your doing?

 

Still can't use it to watch instant NetFlix. That's the only reason I have I.E. on my computer still.

 

The multithread feature is the main draw for me. The "one tab crashes, they all crash" thing frustrates the hell out of me. It's pretty rare on Firefox, but a few times is enough.