Browser surf wars

06.10.2008

So in the end, we found that Internet Explorer 8 has improved on a lot of features like speed, performance, security, and also packs in some cleverly crafted features getting a final score of 86. but it still has some catching up to do with Firefox and Opera in terms of usability and features.

Google Chrome

This was one browser, which generated a lot of interest at the time of its launch because it was a Google product and since Google products and services are known for their simplicity and clever innovation, we delved into its various aspects with great anticipation. And sure enough it has some little gems hidden inside its petite frame.

Look and Feel

The first thing that we noticed was Chrome's unusual interface. It has a simple look and feel but provides a wider space for viewing Web pages. There is a tab bar in place of the title bar with no menu bar and toolbars cluttering the interface. The one thing that caught our fancy was the address bar (also known as the 'Omnibar') which doubles up as a search bar. apart from giving suggestions on the URL that you entered, Chrome also lets you search directly from the address bar. When opening new tabs, Chrome displays a preview of sites in the new tab which is like Opera's Speed Dial. However, unlike Opera where you need to add the sites, Chrome automatically displays recently visited sites.