Google Chrome Hava Bresler Freidenreich Computers and Education Rutgers University, Fall 2008

What is a Web Browser? Wikipedia “A web browser is a software application which enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.” Wikipedia Internet Explorer-73.81%Opera-0.71% Mozilla Firefox-18.43% Netscape-0.62% Safari- 6.14%Other- 0.29% Chrome?

What’s in a Name? Google chrome is named for something it lacks Among software developers, “chrome” refers to menus, buttons, and boxes that surround the main window of a program Very minimalist Only one toolbar which combines an address box and a search box I had to change settings to get a homepage button and a bookmarks toolbar

How is Chrome Different? New Tab Page- Every time you open a new tab, you'll see a visual sampling of your most visited sites, most used search engines, and recently bookmarked pages and closed tabs. Applications (Apps) Shortcuts- Use web apps without opening your browser. Application shortcuts can directly load your favorite online apps. Google Gears will allow use of some apps offline. Note: This is Google’s side of the story

How is Chrome Different? Dynamic Tabs- You can drag tabs out of the browser to create new windows, gather multiple tabs into one window or arrange your tabs however you wish -- quickly and easily. Crash Control- Every tab you're using is run independently in the browser, so if one app crashes it won't take anything else down. Also any spyware on a website only has access to that tab, and not the rest of your computer Note: This is Google’s side of the story

How is Chrome Different? Incognito Mode- Don't want pages you visit to show up in your web history? Choose incognito mode for private browsing. Bloggers call it “porn mode” Safe Browsing Google Chrome warns you if you're about to visit a site suspected phishing, malware or otherwise unsafe website. Note: This is Google’s side of the story

How is Chrome Different? Instant Bookmarks Just click the star icon at the left edge of the address bar and you're done. Importing Settings When you switch to Google Chrome, you can pick up where you left off with all the bookmarks and passwords from your existing browser. Simpler Downloads No intrusive download manager; you see your download's status at the bottom of your current window. Note: This is Google’s side of the story

What is Google’s Goal? 1. Loosen Microsoft’s hold on browser market (which could be used to promote its search/advertising business at Google’s expense) 2. Allow users to interact with increasing powerful Web Applications (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.) 3. Chrome is a potential vehicle for Google Ads

Connection to Education The web is becoming an ever increasing aspect of classroom education. Chrome has the potential to make internet browsing safer and easier, which will improve the use of the internet in the classroom. Schools (and parents) will want a way to disable the incognito mode. Open Source software tools are an important aspect of making technology accessible to all students

My Opinion I think that watching Chrome over the next few year will be very interesting. I hope that over time Chrome can become a safer and easier browser to use and will gain a large share of the market. My technology dream is that Microsoft goes out of business But I will settle for Netflix letting users access their streaming video without having to use Internet Explorer

Questions?

References Please refer the following links for additional detail: A 39 page Comic Book drawn by Scott McCloud explains what makes Chrome different “ Google Chrome: Behind the Open Source Browser Project” Click to get Chrome NY Times Serious Potential of Google’s Browser 9/3/08 Search Giant Wants a Share of the Browser Market A Bright and Shiny Browser