Google Chrome for Mac OS X and Linux: First Impression

A raw version of Google Chrome browser for Mac and Linux has been pre-released. Those working on Mac and Linux might have another browser to rejoice but the story is far from complete. Well, the test version of the browser is a novice that knows no printing, Flash and lack even a bookmark manager. It’s not even in beta. Probably this is why the project leaders Mike Smith and Karen Grunberg have emphasized “DON’T DOWNLOAD THEM!” Well, it also bears in addition that you try them only if you like incomplete, crash-prone software. With much of it on the lee-side there’s a relief that it’ll have updates more frequently that no browser would opt for.

Where’s Chrome Heading to

Last year Google’s browser was only available for Windows. Shortly, after the Windows version Google started working on the Mac OS X and Linux ports with a steady progresses. The Chrome team is trying to build ports that feel native and conform with the underlying platform. It will retain the unique features of the browser, such as the distinctive angled tab skyline.

Overview of the shortcomings

• When you say the browser lacks support for Flash, it means no you can’t play the Youtube videos and miss all the frills that the new websites offer through wondrous works of Flash. Again lack of bookmark manager would imply that you’ll not be able to install bookmarklets to the browser toolbar.
• Further, the browser doesn’t save password or autofill the forms.
• It doesn’t allow you to import the bookmarks an settings from other browsers.
• What you would hate most is that it doesn’t allow you change default search engine.

Chrome for Mac

Appearance

Chrome for Mac appears a lot like the Windows version. This might be annoying for the longtime Mac users, who appreciate consistency in appearance and behavior across all Mac applications.

Key features

The only feature that you can appreciate is the swiftness of the browser. Chrome is real fast on Mac. If you compare Firefox’s spped to that of Chrome in Mac, its like comparing Audi R8 to Pagani Zonda R.

The chrome version offers the Incognito browsing, which keeps the browsed pages from showing up the browser history

For the Mac users Google provides a standard DMG image that encloses the Chrome application bundle.

Linux version of Chrome

At present Chrome only supports Ubuntu 8.04 or Debian 5 and later. Its performance on Linux is decent. It loads the pages fast and starts almost instantly.

It adds the Google repository to your system that keeps your Chrome version up to date. It allows you to enter the command line before installing. The Opera like new tab page shows a grid of your most visited sites.

There are Linux packages for Chrome available in the standard .DEB format. The DEB package will install a corn script that adds the Chrome package to the user’s APT sources.

What seems evident is that Google has laid key emphasis on the browser’s privacy and security features. The early previews of Chrome is a great enigma for the developers who are eager to explore the progress of Chrome on the new platforms. The bottomline reads that this is a commendable achievement for Google’s browser in a short span of time. Now, all you can do is wait for the updates