It is bound to happen, the Google Web Browser that is. For a company so focused on delivering online applications that compete with the old desktop variant, a reliable browser and the direct connection with the users it offers just sounds like the obvious choice.
So where is the Google Web Browser?
Some might say that Firefox is the closest to the Google Web Browser we’re getting, and that may be true, although a bit simplified. Sure, there’s a Google search toolbar installed per default, but the same goes for Safari, you know. Problem with the latter is that it sucks in Gmail, for instance, which isn’t acceptable since that’s probably the most used Google web application out there, right?
So why should Google do their own web browser?
- Yet another way to get to the user’s desktops.
- Smart integration of Google services will help maintain loyalty, as well as be a nice feature for users.
- Full control of the web experience with Google products.
Right. Then how should they do it?
- Pour a pile of money on Mozilla developers, release Google Web Browser code as open source, and do a Firefox based web browser. Benefits for all!
- Market it though all web applications.
- Integrate Google Talk (that’s Jabber folks), and possibly other IM protocols.
- Urge social networks and online application developers to release extensions for adding functionality to the Google Web Browser, possibly funding them and labeling extensions as secure and official. Direct posting to Twitter, Pownce, Facebook etc. should be one click away.
OK. Why shouldn’t they do this then, there has to be a downside? There is:
- If Google enters the web browser sphere, other browsers might feel threatened. That could be the end of the default Google search box?!
- Google is viewed as the internet company #1, almost a monopoly. Could they risk investigation by authorities, like Microsoft has, and be forced to hack up the company? Probably not, if they do the browser the open source way, but there’s always a risk with dominating a sphere too much.
Remember Flock? I pimped it in a review (sort of) over at Devlounge. It’s still a great browser, although I missed too many Firefox extensions to stay with it. The current version have web mail integration, including Gmail. In an essence, Flock is trying to do what a Google Web Browser should be doing, but it goes wider and takes a more advanced route.
The Google Web Browser needs to be simple and straight forward. Pretty much like the gOS Linux distribution, which isn’t a Google project but have their go ahead.
Which reminds me. There should be a Google OS…
Originally posted on March 14, 2008 @ 9:51 pm