I downloaded and installed Google's new web browser called Chrome. So far it's nice, not great, not super, not awesome, just nice. Chrome isn't bloated with excess features and plug-ins, the memory footprint is relatively small, and it's fast. It opens fast and renders pages fast. Once opened the lack of menus is the first thing I noticed. No File, Edit, View, just a row for tabs and an address bar. The bookmarks toolbar can even be hidden to further simplify the view.
I wont waste much more time going in to detail about all the capabilities of the browser though. There are tons of in depth articles on the web like this one at Lifehacker.com if you want to find out about all of the features.
I dont see Chrome taking over the browser world, but it has it's place. Especially with the Application Shortcut feature. This one feature alone would have kept me from just tossing it to the wayside. Chrome's lower memory usage makes using it to run "desktop web applications" more feasible. I set up a desktop application shortcut with Chrome for one for one of my favorite online music services called The Sixtyone. I then right clicked and assigned the hot key combination Ctrl + Alt + S to it. When opened and running for an extended period of time it is using MUCH less memory than any of the other options like Firefox or Prism. I tried this same desktop short cut trick with Google Docs, but ironically the right click feature in Google Docs doesn't work when accessed in Chrome.
The other reason I decided to continue trying it is the simplicity of the browser. I like the minimalistic, clutter free, interface. It removes the extra distractions and lets me just browse the web. Isnt that what a browser is supposed to do anyways?
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