Can it be polished with tinfoil and Coke?

As you may have heard, Google inadvertently "announced" their very own web browser yesterday, and has since released a public beta (for Windows only, argh!), this very afternoon. Its existence has proven to be very interesting, indeed, even though there has been speculation for well over 2 years now that Google has been working on their own browser. They've maintained an Apple-esque level of secrecy over the project. My initial reaction:

First, and most interesting to me, is the fact that it's WebKit-based. This is very cool, as WebKit is the open source foundation upon which Safari (as well as a whole slew of other third-party browsers) is based upon, and is maintained by Apple. MobileSafari (iPhone) is obviously WebKit-based, as is the browser in Android, the upcoming open source mobile phone OS created by Google. What this means is that they have even more reason to optimize for WebKit, as that will benefit all Safari (Mac/Win), Midori, iPhone/iPod touch, Chrome and Android users. One could have easily assumed that if Google were to release their own browser, it would be based upon the same engine that their favored browser, Firefox, was based upon (gecko). The fact that they chose WebKit for Chrome and Android tells me that Google feels that WebKit has the featureset and scalibility they require for making their webapps friendly for anything from handheld up to desktop.

Second, and 99.99% as interesting as the first, is the fact that, in 2006, through search revenue, Google was responsible for roughly 90% of the Mozilla Foundation/Corporation's annual revenue. 90%. And, Google are huge Firefox fans, which makes one question why they would, in the eyes of many, release a competing product. Is the relationship behind Google and Mozilla souring? I don't think that's the case: I think that Google is going to continue to target all browsers (IE, Safari/Chrome, Firefox), and use Chrome to do things with a browser that the others won't... and when those features become popular enough, they'll be added to the other browsers. So yes, it will appear at times that they're showing preference for Chrome, but only because they can only accomplish something using feature x in Chrome, but sooner-or-later, feature x will be added to Safari, Firefox and IE (most likely in that order, heh). This is Google's way of steering the ship that is web browser functionality. This is Google's way of creating a platform that is going to further blur the line between desktop app and web app.

Third, I think Chrome is going to help people get to the point where they're not afraid to be using multiple browsers, perhaps simultaneously, on their computers. Chrome is going to do some things very well, and other things, well, not. Some of us will use Chrome only for certain functions/sites, and Firefox/Safari/IE for everything else. Personally, I'm waiting for something to tie all of my browsers together, most likely in the form of a Bookmark/Favorite syncing utility that spans browser and OS. A Google Bookmarks on steroids, if you will. Think about it: what stops you from using Firefox and/or Safari and/or IE all simultaneously? Or hop from one to the other from day to day? Ok, IE I can see... it just plain sucks. But for me, I hop between Firefox and Safari a few times a day for different sites I use. Their functionality and speed are nearly identical now. The only headache I have in hoping back n' forth is the fact that my bookmarks are not in sync between. I do use Google Bookmarks, but the integration isn't there in Safari for using the bookmarks... only for creating. If that could be eliminated, I'd be one happy camper. Do the same for Chrome, and I'll be back n' forth between browers all the live-long day. I don't want to switch browsers, I want to float amongst them. ;)

A few things I like about Chrome:

• The location bar. Very IE8-ish, but in a good way. Basically, take the über-bar from Firefox 3 (my favorite new feature!), and combine it with the domain-exentuating display from the IE8 betas:
  
  Very cool! I also like how the point-size is larger, thus calling attention to exactly where you are. No 9pt type here. And I really like how (as you'll see in the next screenshot) you're invited to type a URL, previously visited site, or a search, all in one field. What a smart space-saver!
  
• "Incognito" for private browsing. I'll let you imagine where this can come in handy (fyi, Google says it's great for secretive surprise gift shopping... What else?!):
  
  Very well done. The window itself has a completely different look, complete with private-eye dude in the upper left, indicating in no uncertain terms that you're in "special pr0n mode."
• Harmful site database updates, updated once every two hours. I feel cozy already:
  Worry not: Chrome is up to date!

I'm highly anticipating the Mac and Linux versions, so I can bat those around. I sincerely hate Windows' text rendering, and during my 2 hours with Chrome today, I must say my biggest complaint was having to put up with ClearType. I hate it. Hate. It.

As many know, I'm a total Googlephile, but I am not looking for this to displace Firefox 3 as my primary browser. Who knows, it might... but like I said before, I don't want to be stuck with any one browser. Although, I'm the guy who admits to being an atheist, with a slight agnostic twinge. So, who knows... perhaps something will come along that makes me say "wow, it's the One."

But right now I'm thinking that's romantic, but just a bit silly.