Chrome: Google's Shiny New Gadget

We return from the long Labor Day weekend to learn that Chrome – code-name for Google’s new open-source browser – is ready for download today. (A BYB shout-out to Kara Swisher at All Things D who spent the weekend breaking this news instead of retreating to the mountains like I did.) If you want to get up to speed on how the folks at Google think Chrome is going to change the game, check out this comic book, which takes you through their thought processes.

Having read about their plans, I’m excited to see if the new browser lives up to Google’s promises. It’s true that browsers are too slow and get locked up too easily, even though we can allegedly open as many tabs as we want. Google Chrome is built on the idea that each open tab runs a separate process so that the browser oversees several little mini-applications, none of which are dependent on each other. While that will take up more memory up front, Google admits, it should free up more overall memory, making the entire experience faster.

Currently, I’m a Firefox devotee (even though I occasionally have to switch to Internet Explorer because certain online applications don’t work with Firefox) but I’d be willing to make the switch if I see a real difference.

I’m noodling around with the Chrome beta but until I get a real hang of it, let’s turn to the WSJ’s Walter Mossberg, who says he’s been checking it out for a week. Also, if you just want to stick with IE and call it a day, version 8 is out for download. Get it here. Mossberg is a fan of IE8 but I’m finding it impossibly slow, like all other versions of Microsoft’s ubiquitious browser.