Google Web Browser "Chrome" Debuts

Tag : chrome

(AP) Google Inc. is releasing its own Web browser in a long-anticipatedmove aimed at countering the dominance of Microsoft Corp.'sInternet Explorer and ensuring easy access to its Internet-leadingsearch engine.

The Mountain View-based company took the unusual step of announcingits latest product on the Labor Day holiday after it prematurelysent out a comic book drawn up to herald the new browser's arrival.

The free browser, called "Chrome," is supposed to be available fordownloading Tuesday in more than 100 countries for computersrunning on Microsoft's Windows operating system. Google said it'sstill working on versions compatible with Apple Inc.'s Mac and theLinux operating system.

Although Google is using a cartoonish approach to promote Chrome,the new browser underscores the gravity of Google's rivalry withMicrosoft, whose Internet Explorer is used by about 75 percent ofWeb surfers.

Google for several years has been trying to take advantage of itssearch engine's popularity to loosen Microsoft's grip on how mostpeople interact with personal computers.

The assault so far has been focused on a bundle of computerprograms, including word processing and spreadsheet applications,that Google offers as an alternative to one of Microsoft's biggestmoney makers, its Office suite of products.

Google has tried to make its alternatives more appealing andaccessible by hosting them for free over Internet connectionsinstead of requiring users to pay a licensing fee to install themon individual computers

Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investingbillions in the development of its own search engine and making anunsuccessful attempt to buy Yahoo Inc. for $47.5 billion.

The tensions between Microsoft and Google now seem likely toescalate with Google's foray into Web browsing.

In a Monday blog posting, Google touted Chrome as a moresophisticated Web browser better suited for displaying the moredynamic and interactive content blossoming on the Web as peoplemigrate from television, radio and newspapers.

"The Web gets better with more options and innovation," SundarPichai, Google's vice president of product management, and LinusUpson, Google's engineering director, wrote in the posting. "GoogleChrome is another option, and we hope it contributes to making theWeb even better."

Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.