Google adds new access, analysis to Web performance tool

31.03.2011
Google is upgrading on Thursday its tool for analyzing Web page performance, making it available directly via the Web and offering smartphone page analysis.

Previously offered as a Firefox extension and known as Page Speed, the online version is called Page Speed Online. Accessible at from any browser, Page Speed Online enables site owners to access Web page performance analysis data and get suggestions on making pages faster. With the upgrade, Google also is recognizing the growing smartphone computing paradigm.

"Due to the relatively limited CPU capabilities of mobile devices, the high round-trip times of mobile networks, and rapid growth of mobile usage, understanding and optimizing for mobile performance is even more critical than for the desktop, so Page Speed Online now allows you to easily analyze and optimize your site," said Andrew Oates and Richard Rabbat, of Google's Page Speed team, in a blog post.

Recommendations for mobile devices offer best practices that go beyond what is recommended for desktop browsers, the team members said. "New mobile-targeted best practices include eliminating uncacheable landing page redirects and reducing the amount of JavaScript during the page load, two common issues that slow down mobile pages today." Page Speed was first launched in June 2009. Page Speed Online is powered by the