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As a recap, the table below shows current 2008 browser standings:

Top line features include:

• Open source code base
• Based on WebKit used by Safari
• Powered by Google Gears
• Multi process design
• Built in task manager
• V8 virtual machine built from the ground up
• Redesigned user experience based on 2008 web browsing habits
• More robust error management
• Safer browsing through process sandboxing

So what will the above features mean for the rest of us? Well, reading Google’s cartoon pitch we should be seeing some impressive results including:

• Faster browsing
• Quicker JavasScript performance, so quicker web apps (i.e. gmail, netvibes, etc.)
• Less chances of the browser crashing because of unresponsive applications
• The ability to close an unresponsive web page using a task manager just like on your computer
• Privacy mode to clear your browsing history as you surf
• Better pop-up manager, which can contain pop-ups within individual page tabs
• Safer browsing by using sandboxing techniques as found in operating systems

We haven’t tried it yet, and will update you once we’ve tested it thoroughly. At first glance Google Chrome sounds like a revolution in the browser space, and it comes just after Google renewing their deal with Mozilla to support Firefox.
So far it’s Windows only, but Google are hard at work building versions for Mac and Linux.
So what are the implications of Google releasing a web browser?

Apart from extending its reach beyond the search engine, advertising, video, social, knowledge, medical, financial, and technical space, Google Chrome sounds like an ideal complement to Google’s suite of analytics and tracking solutions.
Now for the Big Brother thing and conspiracy theories… If Google were to track users’ web visiting habits, bounce rates, visit times, and interactions with websites from within its own browser, than it would be able to provide the ultimate model of web behaviour, and base its algorithms and advertising solutions on this data. It would also be able to provide granular information on trends, and insight based on very accurate metrics.
Another aspect is the integration of the Omnibox... Similar to Google Suggest, it replaces the URL bar, which will undoubtedly blur the difference between typing in URLs and searching which will undoubtedly affect keyword bidding on the likes of Google Adwords.

So we look forward to reviewing Google Chrome, and how it will affect our clients.

We’ll update you with our feedback soon!