Google browser: Why Google needs it

The search giant Google has officially confirmed its long-rumoured entry in the browser arena. Termed Chrome, the new browser will take on Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla Foundation's Firefox.

Google's entry in the browser market further embitters the long-going Microsoft-Google battle for Web supremacy. At the same time, it once again hots up the browser battles even as Microsoft has launched IE8 beta 2 and Firefox 3.0. But few people know why a browser might become an important weapon in the Google arsenal.

Here's an insight into why Google needs Chrome.

Microsoft worries
Google browser reflects the company's concern that Microsoft would find ways to use its dominance of the PC software to favour its own Internet applications.

Google has been worried that Microsoft could `use' its power by manipulating Internet Explorer's default settings in a way that might hurt traffic to Google's search engine. In 2006, Google contacted the Justice Department to raise alarms about changes to Internet Explorer that Google believed made it more difficult to install search toolbars made by Microsoft's rivals. Although regulators decided not to intervene, Microsoft subsequently modified the way Explorer handled the selection of search toolbars.

The new feature in the latest beta of Microsoft IE 8 makes it easier for users to block information about their browsing habits, a move which could hamper Google's interests in display advertising.

Independent Mozilla
Until recently, Google had been trying to undermine Microsoft's hold over the browser market by supporting Firefox. Bolstered by an advertising partnership with Google's search engine, Firefox ranks as the second most popular browser, with a market share of more than 10 per cent.

So, an important question is why Google needs another browser when it has Firefox. The non-profit Mozilla Foundation, which manages Firefox, has Google's help both in terms of engineering as well as financially. Firefox has collaborated with Google on a variety of technical issues, including a system for reporting software crashes and to make software browsers more secure.

According to the company's financial figures for the 2006, 85 per cent, or about $57 million of the company's $67 million in annual revenues for the year, came from Google. Last week only, Google extended its advertising alliance with Firefox through 2011.

On its part, Firefox assigns Google search site as the default for the browser's search bar, though users have the option to change this to a rival search site if they wish.

Is it the `independent' ambitions of Mozilla that threatened Google. In an interview to with Computerworld in October 2007, Mitchell Baker, currently the chairwoman of Mozilla Corp said that she would not hesitate to walk away from the lucrative partnership if that was what was necessary to remain independent.

"We've spent a lot of time and energy making sure that Google understands that it cannot turn us into an arm of Google," Baker said. "If the protection of [our independence] would come into conflict with Google, or any of our search partners, we would opt for the community who built Firefox and love Firefox," she added.

Better integration with Google apps
Also, an in-house browser that is Chrome means deeper and better integration with all Google tools, including Gmail, Picasa, and Documents. As it is obvious that a company-controlled browser will operate better with Google's own software. Probably, this also means that Google won't have to pay Mozilla for the Firefox searchbox ads.

Also, if one goes by the popular argument that the browser will in future serve as an operating system or be the medium to tap into the OS, Google needs to have a product ready. And what better for Google if it connects Chrome, Desktop and Android.

Rising dominance of Web browsers
Similarly, mobile may be touted as the future, however, desktop browsers have continued to evolve and become more intrinsic to the way users use the Web. And who controls this experience goes to leverage it, and at times also at the detriment of other website companies. For instance, IE 8 makes it far easier to find something without going through Google search.

Also, with Google expanding its own range of Internet-based applications, it has increasingly become dependent on the state of browser technology. Google and Microsoft are battling over customers who use a browser for tasks such as email, calendars and word processing, applications that have traditionally resided in the stored on a PC.

New branding
According to analysts the Google browser may help the company further improve its branding. According to Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates in Wayland, Massachusetts, "This gives Google another opportunity to protect its flank and to create a new branding position." "The browser is a broader platform than they currently have," he added.

A recent Merrill Lynch & Co report said that the market for Web-based software is expected to touch $160 billion by 2011.

The more, the merrier
One thing that is certain is that Google wants a fall in marketshare of Microsoft Internet Explorer. So, here it can be the case of more the merrier. Suppose, if Google's browser grabs 10 per cent market share in first year it's sure to hit IE too.

Also, if Google's Chrome fails to become a hit with the users, according to some analysts it could be a vehicle to acquire Mozilla.

Google browser: First look

Internet search giant Google has finally made its much-rumoured entry in the browser space. After the latest releases by Mozilla (Firefox 3) and Microsoft (IE 8 beta 2), here comes Google browser Chrome.

Designed to better handle video-rich or other complex Web programmes, Chrome poses a tough challenge to browsers designed originally to handle text and graphics. Google calls the move "a fresh take on the browser" and said that it will be introducing a public trial for Microsoft Corp Windows users starting September 2.

The software, which is in beta, will be distributed for free to PC users in over 100 countries via Google's blog. The Internet search leader is also working on versions for Apple Macintosh and Linux users.

Here's looking into what all the Google browser packs.

Special tabs
Instead of traditional tabs like those seen in Firefox or Internet Explorer, Chrome puts the tab buttons on the upper side of the window, not below the address bar.

Web programmes can be launched in their own dedicated windows.




Speed dial
As a default homepage, the browser offers a “speed dial” feature, similar to the one in Opera browser. This gives users a view of their most visited Web pages in 9 screenshot thumbnails.

Similarly, users can also view some of their recent searches, recently bookmarked pages and recently closed tabs.


Privacy mode
Like IE8 Beta 2, Chrome also comes with privacy mode or porn mode feature. This mode lets users create an "incognito" window where "nothing that occurs in that window is ever logged onto your computer."

This is a read-only feature with access to one's bookmarks or favorite sites.

Address bar
The browser has an address bar ‘omnibox’ with auto-completion features. It offers search suggestions, top pages that a user visited and pages he didn’t visit but are popular.

The omnibox (“omni” is a prefix meaning “all”, as in “omniscient” - “all-knowing”) also gives suggests searches. The browser's search blank keeps a track of keywords in a users' previous visit, allowing one to type in, say, "cellphone" to pull up any web pages he visited recently that pertained to cellphones, say Nokia.

Security
For safe browsing experience, Chrome will regularly keep on downloading a list of harmful sites. This is the Internet search giant's attempt to fight malware and phishing attacks.

Google also promises that whatever will run in a tab will be filtered so that it doesn't affect user’s machine.

However, users who install plugins may loose this security feature.




Multi-tasking
The browser supports multi-tasking. Just like in a typical operating system each application is given its own memory and its own copy of global data structures. Applications will launch in their own windows so that if one should hang or crash it won’t affect the others.

This will also prevent the whole browser from crashing because it’s essentially been partitioned off.



JavaScript Virtual Machine V8
Google Chrome has a new engine for loading interactive JavaScript code, dubbed V8, which is designed to run the next generation of future Web applications. V8 will speed up JavaScript performance in the browser.

Future's 5 hottest technologies

The research agency Gartner Inc has identified emerging technologies for future and predicts that these will have a transformational business impact.

According to the report "Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2008," these should be considered for adoption by technology planners in the next 10 years.

"Although Web 2.0 is now entering the trough of disillusionment, it will emerge within two years to have transformational impact, as companies steadily gain more experience and success with both the technologies and the cultural implications," said Jackie Fenn, vice president, Gartner.

"Later -- in between two and five years -- cloud computing and service-oriented architecture (SOA), which is moving up the slope of enlightenment, will deliver transformation in terms of driving deep changes in the role and capabilities of IT,” he adds.

So, here’s looking into the emerging technologies for future.

Green IT

Along with broader societal pressure for environmentally sustainable solutions, IT has the opportunity -- and in many cases, a requirement -- to improve the "greenness" of its own activities, as well as to contribute to broader company and industry environmental initiatives.

Cloud computing
As companies seek to consume their IT services in the most cost-effective way, interest is growing in drawing a broad range of services (for example, computational power, storage and business applications) from the "cloud," rather than from on-premises equipment.

Many types of technology providers are aligning themselves with this trend, with the result that confusion and hype will continue for at least another year before distinct submarkets and market leaders emerge.

Social computing platforms
Following the phenomenal success of consumer-oriented social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, companies are examining the role that these sites, or their enterprise-grade equivalents, will play in future collaboration environments.

The scope is also expanding to incorporate the notion of social "platforms," or environments for a broad range of developers to build on the basic application.

Video telepresence
High-end videoconferencing systems (for example, from HP, Cisco, Teliris and others) that utilise large, high-definition (HD) displays and components to show life-size images of participants in meeting rooms or suites have proven significantly more effective than earlier generations of video conferencing technology.

High cost is currently the barrier to broader adoption.

Microblogging
Pioneered by Twitter (although other services such as FriendFeed or Plurk are also available), microblogging is a relatively new addition to the world of social networking.

In this contributors post a stream of very short messages (fewer than 140 characters) providing information about their current activity or thoughts, which can then be subscribed to by others.

The phenomenon has caught on among certain online communities, and leading-edge companies are investigating its role in enhancing other social media and channels.

Nokia's iPhone killer, N96

Nokia is all set to steal Apple's iPhone thunder. In a first global launch in India, the world's largest cell phone maker, Nokia has unveiled its 'killer product' N96.

Touted to be an iPhone killer, the high-end Nokia N96 has been launched two days before the official launch of Apple iPhone (August 22).

Nokia N96 is the successor of Nokia N95. The phone which was tipped to see its global launch in October will be available in the market from the first week of September.

Here's looking inside Nokia's iPhone rival.

Here's a phone sans touchscreen, however, still billed as the toughest iPhone rival. Nokia's N96 is seen as a hot competition to iPhone, though the company is also reported to be working on a touchscreen rival reportedly called Tube.

With a large 2.8-inch screen display, the phone packs 16GB of internal memory, expandable up to 24GB. According to Nokia, the phone can store up to 40 hours of video.

The phone supports talktime of up to 3 hours and 40 minutes. Nokia N96 offers support for Symbian S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 Operating System.

Nokia N96 boasts of a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and video light. The video camera captures at 30 frames per second. The images can be stored in both JPEG and EXIF format.

With the integrated A-GPS, users can geotag their pictures with location data.

The dual-slider Nokia N96 supports standard video formats including MPEG-4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. The phone offers support for high-speed USB 2.0 connection, WLAN and HSDPA.

N96 has a 'kickstand' on the back cover that allows for hands-free viewing.

For music lovers, the phone has media keys, 3.5 mm headphone connector and built-in 3D stereo speakers. The phone offers music playback time of 14 hours and video playback time of 5 hours.

The phone supports Nokia Maps application which offers maps with urban details and satellite views and has upgrade options such as City Guides, turn-by-turn pedestrian mode and voice-guided car navigation.

The phone is expected to be priced around Rs 35,000. The handset is likely to be available in the market from the first week of September.

In comparison to Nokia N96, iPhone is likely to cost about Rs 31,000 for the 8 GB version and between Rs 35,000-37,000 for the 16 GB. But if the iPhone is bundled with a carrier's service, the price could be half this amount.

For corporate users, the iPhone packs a punch with its encrypted Push-mail with Microsoft Exchange, which the Nokia N96 lacks. Apple has also put in a 3-axis accelerometer that senses motion much better than N96's basic motion sensor.

However, there are things one would miss in the iPhone like being able to transfer data using Bluetooth, which N96 allows. iPhone also lacks regular FM and offers users streaming Internet radio.

Also, while the iPhone offers the popular Google maps, the drawback is that these maps do not offer voice directions in India. The N96 offers Nokia Maps 2.0 with voice directions for India as well.

Ashoka Chakra - The Tale Of Twenty Four Spokes

The Ashoka Chakra means the 'wheel of the law'. It is derived from the Sanskrit word Dharma Chakra, which means wheel. It has 24 spokes.

The most prominent Indian Mauryan emperor, called Ashoka the Great, built the Ashoka Chakra during the 3rd century BC. The Ashoka Chakra is inscribed widely among the Lion Capital of Sarnath and the Ashoka Pillar. The Ashoka Chakra is placed in the center of the National Flag of the Republic of India. It was adopted on 22 July, 1947. It is rendered in a navy blue colour on a white background. In order to add historical 'depth' and separate the National Flag from that of the Indian National Congress(INC) Gandhian spinning wheel is replaced with the Spokes of Ashoka Chakra in the center of the Flag.

Ashoka Chakra can also be seen on the base of Lion Capital of Ashoka which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India. The Chakra signifies that there is a life in 'Movement' and 'Death' in stagnation. The process of the wheel stands for cycle or the self repeating process with the changing of time in our life. The horse the Right hand symbolizing accuracy and speed. The Bull on the Left hand stands for hard work .

Wonderful Qualities of Twenty Four Spokes :
1. Love
2. Courage
3. Patience
4. Peacefulness
5. Magnanimity
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Selflessness
10. Self-control
11. Self sacrifice
12. Truthfulness
13. Righteousness
14. Justice
15. Mercy
16. Gracefulness
17. Humility
18. Empathy
19. Sympathy
20. Spiritual knowledge
21. Moral Values
22. Spiritual Wisdom
23. The fear of God
24. Faith or Believe or Hope

Ashoka Chakra represent the 24 hours of the nation. Thus it governs all.