Google Chrome to come pre-installed on computers?
By Dave Parrack
Google Chrome, the new pretender to Internet Explorer’s crown as the number one Web browser, could soon be pre-installed in new computers. What’s more, Google is also working on versions of the browser for both Mac and Linux users.
Google launched a beta version of its Chrome Web browser in September. At the time, I tested and reviewed it and although I found it to be lightning quick and brilliantly free of any bloat, it lacked enough muscle to tempt me away from Firefox. But things could change, especially with Chrome expected to be released fully in January, with the beta testing complete.
With the final version released, it seems that Google will seriously consider setting up deals with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) which will see the Chrome browser pre-installed on new computers. This, of course, is how Microsoft’s Internet Explorer became the most popular Web browser.
Sundar Pichai, Google Vice President, Product Management, told The Times of London:
We could work with an OEM and have them ship computers with Chrome pre-installed. We will throw our weight behind it. We’ve been conservative because its still in beta, but once we get it out of beta we will work hard at getting the word out, promoting to users, and marketing will be a part of that.
Google certainly needs something to help Chrome gain any traction in a market dominated by two big players. Internet Explorer currently enjoys a 71 percent market share, while Firefox, the browser used by almost everyone I know, has around a 20 percent share. After being out in beta for three months, Chrome has less than 1 percent.
Internet Explorer seems untouchable purely because people bizarrely seem to trust Microsoft and so stick with the browser that is pre-installed when they buy their computer. Which is why it makes perfect sense for Google to copy that strategy. However, taking any market share from Firefox may be easier.
As Matt discussed just yesterday, Google Chrome could become a serious contender to Firefox, with the lack of plug-ins at present being the only real thing keeping Firefox users from switching. Once the beta testing is done and dusted, and the most obvious bugs have been squashed underfoot, then Google could turn its attention to providing the same level of usability and interactivity that Mozilla currently does with Firefox.
If the end of 2009 finds us with a stable and bug-free version of Chrome which is being pre-installed on new computers and can be used with Mac and Linux operating systems, then I think it has a chance. Google very rarely fails in its quest to move in to new markets, so I wouldn’t bet against Chrome making it big yet, despite it having a less-than-auspicious start.
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Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
Stumble It!
November 21st, 2008
I hesitate to use even upgraded versions of Chrome, since my last experience using it (first version) left my computer compromised; have they fixed the security issues beyond all doubt?
November 22nd, 2008
The latest version of Google Chrome Beta has fixed most issues. The one which will be released in 1-3 weeks will fix all prevalent issues.
November 23rd, 2008
Hard to see the advantage in Chrome over Firefox, Opera, Safari and all the IE offshoots like Crazy.
February 15th, 2009
With chrome holding the right to keylog everything you type into its browser I will not use it as google is becoming more and more evil. They have since removed it from the EULA but they were trying to claim usage rights to anything you uploaded using there browser I mean wtf is that?