Google just released their entry into the browser space, and it certainly has the makings of a champion. 

Called Chrome, Google’s browser is sleek, very fast, and takes a new approach at browsing the web (from the ground up).

There are a number of technical advancements under the hood, which Google describes in typical Google fashion.

This browser has a number of features that really differentiate it from the other major players (Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari), including the ability to run each tab independent of one another.

What this means basically is that if one tab hangs it doesn’t hang the whole browser.  This, coupled with a new java virtual machine, V8, combine to make the whole browsing experience very pleasant.

Even though it uses the same rendering engine as Apple’s Safari (webkit) it seems faster and has, in my opinion, a better overall interface.

Simple things like search within a document (ctrl-f) has a nice “built-in” feel that doesn’t get in the way. 

In IE, it pops up a totally separate window which has always annoyed pretty much anyone who’s ever used.  Firefox got it right with bringing a little search box up at the bottom of the screen, but Chrome’s implementation just seems much more polished.

Browsing in Stealth Mode

Another interesting feature that I’m sure will draw attention is incognito mode. 

By enabling this feature, you’re able to surf the web without having the traces of your surfing saved to the computer.  The sites you visit aren’t saved in any session or history logs, and any cookies or temporary files downloaded during the session are deleted once the browser is closed.  You can run incognito mode side-by-side with regular mode, by opening a new “incognito window”.

This allows you to “go shopping for your significant other” without them being able to see where you’ve been.  Right… 

There a few sites or applications that aren’t working quite right on Chrome, but that’s to be expected with any new player in town.  For the most part the vast majority of sites we’ve visited displayed faster, the interface is slick and almost transparent, and we’re certainly glad to see another player in the market space to further drive competition and innovation.

As for privacy concerns, Matt Cutts of Google is doing a great job answering the majority of questions around this.  If your curious, definitely check out his blog for more information.

Is it water-tight and super-secure?  No, not entirely.  No browser, especially one that is highly popular and in the cross-hairs, will be totally invulnerable.  In fact, there have already been a few chrome security holes identified.  I’m sure there will be more, and hopefully they’re fixed just as quickly.  We’ll have to wait and see.

All in all, so far so good and it seems Chrome is already making a bit of an impact on the browsing community.