Google officially entered itself into the browser wars today. The company launched it’s version and response to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Web browser. Google Chrome is now available for download and offers the following features: one box for everything, new tab page, application shortcuts, dynamic tabs, crash control, incognito mode, safe browsing, instant bookmarks, importing settings, simpler downloads, and download now.

Not everyone sees this move on the part of Google as positive. Developers nor designers will not be happy about having to code and design for yet another browser. It is already a challenge keeping web pages cross-browser compatible in the dominant browsers – IE and Firefox. Who needs to add to it?! The upside I guess is that we won’t have to worry about it unless it achieves mass adoption.

Some believe it is a desperate move on the part of Google to protect its turf against Microsoft whom they believed to be creating IE8 to hinder Google search. Google is creating its own browser to not only prevent Microsoft from encroaching on its territory, but to use the browser to better target online advertising, and to further distribute Google Apps like Google Docs which is the web based competitor to Microsoft Office. But it’s not only Microsoft who will be unhappy about this. Mozilla Firefox whom Google has a partnership with to display the Google Search utility on its homepage, can’t be thrilled either. Now they not only have to compete against Microsoft, they have to fend off Google as well. It might have been better for Google to join forces more strongly with Mozilla than create their own. I guess Google and Mozilla are now frienemies.

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