Google Plans to Show Windows 8 Love with Chrome for Metro
Even though Google and Microsoft have become rivals as of late, Google’s not above showing Microsoft some love. Apparently, Google plans to launch a special Windows 8 Metro version of Chrome, uniquely designed for the Windows 8 environment and, more importantly, tablets. Here’s a look at Microsoft and Google’s relationship, plus cool new features in Chrome …
The tip of the hat goes to Mashable, which spoke to Google and learned the news. The new version of Chrome for Windows 8 will be distinctly different from all other versions, including its Android counterpart. An official statement from Google was succinct but packed with details:
“Our goal is to be able to offer our users a speedy, simple, secure Chrome experience across all platforms, which includes both the desktop and Metro versions of Windows 8. To that end we’re in the process of building a Metro version of Chrome along with improving desktop Chrome in Windows 8 such as adding enhanced touch support.”
Groovy. So what else could we expect from a Windows 8 Chrome? I have a hunch Google will put a good amount of effort into making Chrome for Windows 8 so fun and friendly to use, it will supplant Microsoft’s valiant efforts to make IE10 as fun and sexy as possible. Google has the opportunity to not only make Chrome more useful than IE10, but also to turn Chrome into the de facto browser of choice by seamlessly linking with Google accounts (like it already does) for cross-platform syncing of bookmarks, settings and more. But the real secret sauce could be Google’s efforts to make its HTML5 Chrome apps Windows 8-enabled, allowing bookmark live-tiles and local apps, almost exactly the same way IE10 is.
Since Google has been at the HTML5 app world game for a lot longer than Microsoft, it’s fair to say Google has a good chance at capturing a considerable portion of Microsoft’s user base. Even if it’s a small segment, Google’s ubiquitous presence can keep Windows 8 users interested in Android phones and other web products, which is still a win for Google.
