Google has launched a beta version of its browser, Chrome for Android. The browser is now available in Android Market so that one does not have to wait for the handset manufacturers to provide them through an upgrade of operating system.
However, Chrome for Android requires Ice Cream Sandwich, a OS version, which irrespective of being launched last year on Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone is hardly seen otherwise.
Chrome for Android features the desktop version of V8 JavaScript engine offers gesture-based controls for moving among the multiple tabs, synchronizes with Chrome’s desktop version as well as shuts-out the plug-ins including Flash Player and Google’s Native Client.
Google’s senior vice president of Chrome and Apps said, “In general, we have seen usage go up. I expect to see more people use the mobile Web.”
Chrome also provides Google a strong rival to third-party browsers that now crowd the Android Market including those from the Mozilla and Opera Software.
According to Net Applications, a Web metrics company, the Android stock browser has a share of 18% of all the browsers run on mobile devices last month. Opera Mini that does not run on Apple’s iOS had a share of 20%.
Chrome for Android can be downloaded by users in US, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Mexico, Korea, UK and Spain.
