DailyTech - Quick Note: Google Launches Chrome Browser for ICS Smartphones, Tablets

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Gadgets Quick Note: Google Launches Chrome Browser for ICS Smartphones, Tablets
Brandon Hill (Blog) - February 7, 2012 2:09 PM

12 comment(s) - last by foolsgambit11.. on Feb 8 at 8:14 PM

Google brings Chrome to the mobile sector

Smartphones and tablets running the numerous incarnations of Google's Android mobile operating system already come equipped with a capable stock internet browser. However, Google is looking to shake things up a bit by providing a fully-fledged version of its Chrome browser for mobile devices.

Chrome for Android is meant to provide fast page rendering, intuitive search using the Chrome omnibox, and the ability to flip through multiple tabs using finger gestures. Naturally, other features like Incognito Mode and the ability to sign in to your Google account to sync open pages and bookmarks from your desktop to your smartphone and tablet are also included.

Chrome for Android is currently in beta and is available from the Android Market. Unfortunately, it looks as though the browser will only be available (for the time being) on smartphones and tablets running Ice Cream Sandwich.

Source: Google

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Pretty sad...

By Cheesew1z69 on 2/7/2012 2:44:13 PM , Rating: 1

That Google can't get it on other versions of Android, not that I would use it. I like Dolphin myself.

RE: Pretty sad...

By quiksilvr on 2/7/2012 2:58:17 PM , Rating: 3

I generally just use stock for my tablet and Opera Mini for my phone. I always thought the stock browser was Chrome...

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RE: Pretty sad...

By bug77 on 2/7/2012 3:38:41 PM , Rating: 2

I tried Dolphin and I tried Opera. In the end, I went back to the stock browser, I like the trick with the controls on the sides.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By RjBass on 2/8/2012 10:40:12 AM , Rating: 2

Try the Miren Browser. It can be changed in the settings so that it mimics Chrome, making websites think you are using a full blown desktop version of Chrome. It's how I watch Hulu on my phone.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By Red Storm on 2/7/2012 4:06:49 PM , Rating: 2

That's because it relies on API from ICS.

Currently I'm using the stock ICS browser. As soon as this gets Flash support it will be the only browser I use. Tab switching is very efficient and I really like the card system (the only thing I liked about WebOS).

They just need to enable the two Labs options from the ICS browser (full screen and quick controls) and we're all set.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By SublimeSimplicity on 2/8/2012 8:52:42 AM , Rating: 2

No flash or user agent switching... it's like having an iPhone.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By theapparition on 2/8/2012 9:27:45 AM , Rating: 2

Again, the stock ICS browser works fine with Flash and it will easily allow you to do user agent switching.

I changed the user agent string a few days ago to get around a site insisting I use the mobile version.

How do these rumors even start? Was it because Adobe said they weren't going to support Flash anymore and when ICS was released it had to go all of 8 days before Adobe updated Flash to be compatible?

Sheesh.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By theapparition on 2/8/2012 9:24:49 AM , Rating: 2

Not sure what you're doing wrong, but the stock ICS browser works fine with Flash.

Using it right now myself on a Galaxy Nexus.

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RE: Pretty sad...

By SublimeSimplicity on 2/8/2012 10:49:36 AM , Rating: 1

Read carefully, Red Storm and I are both talking about Chrome Beta, not the stock ICS browser.

Chrome currently doesn't support changing the UA and there are no plans to support flash.

Ignoring these two missing features:
ICS stock browser < Dolphin < Chrome

If these features don't get added:
Chrome < ICS stock browser < Dolphin

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Google browser for a Google OS?

By xdrol on 2/8/2012 6:08:08 AM , Rating: 3

What is the point? Isn't the Android browser made by Google? Why not just update that?

This is like Microsoft creating a new, non-IE web browser for Windows..

RE: Google browser for a Google OS?

By foolsgambit11 on 2/8/2012 8:14:04 PM , Rating: 3

It's more like Microsoft porting IE to work on WP7. Chrome is Google. Android's stock browser is Google. Google probably would like to have only one browser, if it's feasible. But the differences in OS, hardware, form factor, etc. may mean unifying the browsers isn't worth it. Depends on how much code they can share.

My desired feature list:
User Agent String switching
Flash support
Extensions support (UA switching could come from an extension, then)

Nice features:
Tab system
Sync with desktop Chrome
Incognito mode

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