ANTenna Blog -- Hardware & Software

Google's open source entry into the browser race is turning heads, not to mention burying buzz about the latest beta of Microsoft's IE 8. Despite the comic book announcement, it's no joke -- for small and growing businesses, increased competition is a good thing because it means better browsing options and more of them.

Back in June, when Firefox 3 rolled out, bMighty publisher Fred Paul left no doubt where he stood on the new browser:

"Download the Firefox 3 Web browser now. Right now. You'll be glad you did.
I can't put it any more simply than this: As of today's release of Firefox 3, you should make it your primary Web browser."

It's way too early to jump on the Google Chrome bandwagon with the same gusto (or the IE 8 bandwagon), but at the very least this provides another choice and will serve to sharpen the focus of development efforts for Firefox, Opera, Safari, and maybe even IE (despite the 70% plus market share).

Of course, Google being Google, a launch always comes with an interesting twist (can you say Dutch auction IPO and, what do you know, Chrome prompted a rally) and Chrome is no exception: the rollout was announced via comic book (with a boost from Kara Swisher).

When it comes to the rationale behind launching an open-source browser into a market where Google is already the default search option for the leading open-source browser, Google's claim is, as usual, admirably concise:

"So why are we launching Google Chrome? Because we believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web."

It also explains what Google was up to with the GreenBorder Technologies acquisition back in 2006. And speaking of 2006, the release of a Google open source browser was fodder for April Fool's humor -- my how things have changed.

One thing that's certain -- the beta status won't be changing anytime soon.

More From bMighty: Roundup: Google Chrome