Google Chrome FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions I hear about Google Chrome:

Q:  I’m a web designer/developer, will I have to test my new web pages in Google Chrome now?

A:  Google Chrome is built on the WebKit platform, which is the same as Apple’s Safari.  If you’re site works correctly in Safari, it will work correctly in Chome.  Now…You do test in Safari don’t you?!

Q:  I read somewhere that anything I submit through the web browser belongs to Google, is this true?

A:  Um, well.  Initially Google’s end user license agreement for the browser did include some text that basically stated that as fact.  It is, however, an accident according to Google, and the wording is currently being rewritten at the time of this page creation.

Q:  Will they release the Google Toolbar for Google Chrome, like the one for Firefox or Internet Explorer?

A:  At the moment, Google’s not saying.  My guess would be that they don’t, because so much effort went into the location bar, or as Google calls it, the “Omnibar”.  Many of the things the Google Toolbar does can be accomplished with the Omnibar.

Q:  Where’s the Mac and Linux Version?

A:  Good Question!  I’m a mac user myself primarily, so I was disappointed the mac version wasn’t released with the Windows.  Google does state that the Mac and Linux version are being worked on now, but Sergey Brin stated in an interview that it would be a matter of months.

Q:  So does Google track everything I do now on the internet?  That’s scary!

A:  One of Google’s employees, Matt Cutts, wrote a terrific blog post about this very issue.  The short answer is no.  The long answer is basically still no, with some small exceptions.  For instance, when you type in the location bar, the browser queries your search engine (doesn’t have to be Google) in order to suggest the best options.  In addition, the browser checks for updates from time to time.  But really, the conspiracy theorists have nothing to be worried about.  After all, the browser is open-source, and if Google were lying, the truth would get out pretty quick.

E-Mail Me if you’d like any more questions answered on this page!