In an effort to rev up profits and explore new territory, Google released Chrome, its new, free Web browser, on Tuesday. Take that, Microsoft.
Google (nasdaq: GOOG – news – people ) announced the news of its release on Labor Day, after it prematurely sent out a comic book drawn up to herald the new browser’s arrival. Chrome will be available in more than 100 countries for computers running on Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Google is still working on versions compatible with Apple’s Mac computer and the Linux operating system. (See “Google’s Shiny Moment.”)
Google’s shares gained 0.4%, or $1.96, to close at $465.25, while Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT – news – people ) lost 0.7%, or 19 cents, to $27.10.
“What we want is a diverse and vibrant ecosystem,” Google co-founder Sergey Brin told reporters Tuesday during Chrome’s unveiling. “We want several browsers that are viable and substantial choices.”
Among other features, Chrome’s navigation bar–where you type in an Internet address–will serve a dual purpose. Users can either enter an address into the space or enter a search request that will be processed through their desired search engine.
Although Google made no explicit comments on the matter, the announcement was immediately viewed within the context of its battle with tech icon Microsoft, which is still the solid industry leader in Web browsers. To keep its top spot, it’s upping the ante (see “Browser Wars”) in part by launching a new version of its popular Internet Explorer 8.
Although Google made no explicit comments on the matter, the announcement was immediately viewed within the context of its battle with tech icon Microsoft, which is still the solid industry leader in Web browsers. To keep its top spot, it’s upping the ante in part by launching a new version of its popular Internet Explorer 8.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s most aggressive competitor, Mozilla’s Firefox, has extended its relationship with Google, which sets the search engine as the default homepage and default in the search bar.
For all the talk about Microsoft vs. Google, Cowen analyst Jim Friedland said he believes that Google’s main goal with the new browser is to drive development and innovation in the search-engine field, not directly diminish Microsoft’s browser market share. If Internet Explorer or Firefox adopt Chrome’s new features, Google will still come out ahead, and the importance of the operating system, the basis of Microsoft’s strength, will wane, he said.
Friedland compared the strategy with Google’s Android project to create software for cellphones, which is seen both as a way to steer search revenue to the company, and as a prod to other software makers. The first Android phones are expected later this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
