Google joins Windows 8 browser war with plans for Metro Chrome - Polidicks

[QUOTE]Google has reportedly joined Mozilla with plans to develop a next-generation browser optimized for the Metro style of Windows 8. It’s an important validation of the Windows 8 platform from the developers of two of the most widely used Windows apps around.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]First it was Mozilla. Now Google has tipped its plans to produce a version of its flagship Chrome browser built specifically for the Windows 8 platform. Mashable quoted an unnamed Google spokesperson as saying that the new version of Chrome would be based on its desktop browser code: [I]“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,” the rep said. “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.”[/I] Microsoft has a head start in this browser battle, with a version of Internet Explorer 10 that’s baked into Windows 8 and has been under steady development for a full year. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview includes the latest public release of IE10, which offers two views of the same browser engine: an immersive, plugin-free app (Metro style) and a traditional desktop app that supports Flash and other third-party plugins. Mozilla says it is in the very early phases of “a very large project” to build Firefox for Metro. Product Manager Asa Dotzler said last week, “We’re working in stages. We have a proof of concept now. … I do not anticipate that we will get beyond a late stage Beta this year.” Around the time of the launch of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft published a white paper, “Developing a Metro style enabled desktop browser,” with formal guidelines for developers: A desktop browser that chooses to participate in the new Metro style experience when the user has expressed preference for the browser to do so. Such a browser can provide HTML5 rendering for webpages and service HTTP / HTTPS requests. By definition, such a browser has full access to Win32 APIs for rendering HTML5, including the ability to use multiple background processes, JIT compiling, and other distinctly browser-related functionality (like background downloading of files). Desktop browsers typically run at medium or low integrity level. For Google, building a Metro style browser is a logical step that ensures it remains competitive as Windows evolves. Many of its signature services—Gmail and Google Docs in particular—are optimized for use with the Chrome engine. It’s hard to imagine that it would leave those users on their own when Windows 8 ships later this year. For Microsoft, the decisions by Mozilla and Google provide an important validation of the Metro platform and Windows 8. On one level, the entry of two fierce competitors weakens Internet Explorer. But the fact that all three next-generation browsers will be available on the Windows 8 platform sends a signal to third-party developers and increases the likelihood that next-generation web-based apps will get an early foothold. It’s unclear whether either of these alternative browsers will be able to find a foothold on the next generation of tablets running Windows on ARM (WOA). The Microsoft guidelines say, “Metro style enabled desktop browsers may be distributed via existing channels, for example, web download, network share, OEM pre-install, or systems management software.” Apps for WOA, on the other hand, will be distributed only through the Microsoft-run app store. Microsoft would have to approve the distribution of an alternative browser through its store, and you can be certain that it would insist on perfect adherence to its app guidelines before allowing a third party in. I’ve asked a Google spokesperson for confirmation and an official comment.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/google-joins-windows-8-browser-war-with-plans-for-metro-chrome/4634[/url] Chrome on a Windows 8 tablet yum.

Finally some extra support for windows 8

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;35120696]Finally some extra support for windows 8[/QUOTE]Finally? It's not even out and you make it sound like it's a year old and has no support.

I probably won't be using it

Why call it Metro? I'm going to be thinking of subway stations everytime I use the internet now.

[QUOTE=Hidole555;35121002]Why call it Metro? I'm going to be thinking of subway stations everytime I use the internet now.[/QUOTE] Dark, often dirty, full of people I don't want to have anything to do with. Rather apt, actually.

hey firefox im sorry i left you take me back

[QUOTE=Hidole555;35121002]Why call it Metro? I'm going to be thinking of subway stations everytime I use the internet now.[/QUOTE] Well, it IS a series of tubes.

I'll stick with Windows 7 - Google have already made a browser for it and everything!

[QUOTE=MIPS;35121552]Well, it IS a series of tubes.[/QUOTE] And so many stations are dark, dirty, smell of piss and are filled with hobos.

-snip- Got too excited and didn't finish article.

[QUOTE=C:\;35121541]hey firefox im sorry i left you take me back[/QUOTE] What possible reason do you have to switch back to firefox because of this?

I don't get why people are bashing metro. It's a brilliant mobile UI, but Microsoft tried to merge it with the desktop. Metro really is great when it's used for what it was designed for, it was just poorly merged with Aero. I'm sure Windows 8 will work just as well as 7 in most cases, as well as expand on tablets. Just because they aren't adding much for desktop users doesn't mean it's a bad OS, it just means Microsoft is trying to make a universal operating system. Where tablets, desktops, consoles, and smartphones can all operate in the same fashion. Do I disagree with them merging metro and aero? Yes, I do. But really, do you have a better idea of how to make all these devices run and look the same?

[QUOTE=altern;35121666]I don't get why people are bashing metro. It's a brilliant mobile UI, but Microsoft tried to merge it with the desktop. Metro really is great when it's used for what it was designed for, it was just poorly merged with Aero. I'm sure Windows 8 will work just as well as 7 in most cases, as well as expand on tablets. Just because they aren't adding much for desktop users doesn't mean it's a bad OS, it just means Microsoft is trying to make a universal operating system. Where tablets, desktops, consoles, and smartphones can all operate in the same fashion. Do I disagree with them merging metro and aero? Yes, I do. But really, do you have a better idea of how to make all these devices run and look the same?[/QUOTE] Actually, I'm thinking metro will get better once there are more metro apps that are released. Its sort of pain to use now because most programs we do use are still traditional Win32 applications so your constantly changing between Aero and Metro. Its sort of hard to sell people on the new interface when there aren't that many apps that use it. But that's something that will resolve itself with time.

I actually really like Metro. It's very pleasing to the eye and it's more intuitive to use. I'm only worried that very little will support it.

My thoughts exactly. As soon as it becomes umiform I think people will be able to learn it and adapt to it. It really is a much faster way of navigating

I doubt my dad will :v: or especially my Mom, who only knows how to access Facebook

I thought Metro apps were written in HTML5? A browser written in HTML... my god...

[QUOTE=AceOfDivine;35121574]smells of piss and are filled with hobos.[/QUOTE] Shouldn't it be called "facepunch" then? :v:

Windows 8 looks bad, though.

[QUOTE=smurfy;35122592]I thought Metro apps were written in HTML5? A browser written in HTML... my god...[/QUOTE] HTML5 UI + some kind of natively compiled back end doing all the work.

Well, they'll have to work on it a bit. In my experience (and some benchmarks), IE10 is faster than Google Chrome by a fair margin.

[QUOTE=Hidole555;35121002]Why call it Metro? I'm going to be thinking of subway stations everytime I use the internet now.[/QUOTE] Well, Subways reek of Piss; it's applicable to Microsoft's products.

[QUOTE=smurfy;35122592]I thought Metro apps were written in HTML5? A browser written in HTML... my god...[/QUOTE] C, C++, C#, VB.NET. [IMG]http://wildermuth.com/images/apps_2.png[/IMG]

[QUOTE=C:\;35121541]hey firefox im sorry i left you take me back[/QUOTE] Because it's not like firefox is working on a metro version too.

[QUOTE=C:\;35121541]hey firefox im sorry i left you take me back[/QUOTE] Uhh, you realize that a metro version will be completely separate from a desktop version (which will remain available) It's like IE10, on the Consumer Preview it is available on the Aero desktop as an Aero app not much different from Windows 7's IE9. It's also available as a Metro app, which I've never used because I have a laptop and metro is jack shit on non-tablets.

[QUOTE=Griml3xx;35121567]I'll stick with Windows 7 - Google have already made a browser for it and everything![/QUOTE] I'll stick with video tapes - every movie is already on there anyway!

I goddamned love Windows 8 by the way. I still prefer Ubuntu 12.04 (except when damn Unity breaks and makes me load all programs from temrinal) but Windows 8 is a very good OS.

[QUOTE=BlkDucky;35121614]What possible reason do you have to switch back to firefox because of this?[/QUOTE] Well It's the better browser. It's more stable and has better addons. imo [editline]14th March 2012[/editline] (yes im using chrome, i use it cause it's faster for this laptop )

IE10 actually reminds me of the PSP's browser. Anyways, back to using Firefox on my unchanging desktop.