Chrome for Windows 8 Metro Coming Soon, Says Google

On Thursday Carlos Pizano, Software Engineer and "Metro Gnome" at Google, said that Chrome for Windows 8 Release Preview will arrive soon.

According to Pizano's blog entry, Chrome will run in both Metro and desktop environments of Windows 8 on x86. However Chrome will not be released for Windows RT -- the version of Windows 8 running on ARM-based chips -- because Microsoft is reportedly not allowing browsers other than Internet Explorer on the platform.

"The initial releases of Chrome in Metro mode will include integration with the basic Windows 8 system functionality, such as charms and snap view," he said. "Over the next few months, we’ll be smoothing out the UI on Metro and improving touch support, so please feel free to file bugs. We’re committed to bringing the speed, simplicity, and security of Chrome into Windows 8, and we look forward to working with you on it."

Consumers running Windows 8 Release Preview will be able to try the Chrome browser in Metro mode in the next Chrome Dev channel release by setting it as the default browser. Based on a screenshot provided by Pizano, the browser won't look any different than it does on Windows 7 or other desktop operating systems, keeping with the standard Google design.

Microsoft is following Apple's lead by denying 3rd-party browsers besides its own stock Internet Explorer on Windows RT tablets with ARM-based processors. The desktop version of Windows 8 won't have the same restriction although users won't be able to run more than one browser in Metro mode at any given time.

In addition to Google, Mozilla is also working on a Metro version of Firefox. The company recently published a blog stating that users of Windows RT also deserve a choice of browsers, and called on Microsoft to remain firm on its user choice principles.

"Windows on ARM -as currently designed- restricts user choice, reduces competition and chills innovation," wrote Mozilla General Council Harvey Anderson. "By allowing only IE to perform the advanced functions of a modern Web browser, third-party browsers are effectively excluded from the platform. This matters for users of today’s tablets and tomorrow’s PCs."

"Because Windows on ARM relies upon so many traditional Windows assets, including brand, code, footprint, and experience, the decision to exclude other browsers may also have antitrust implications," Anderson added.

Sounds like a threat, doesn't it?

  • pjmelect
    Why ?
    Reply
  • Shin-san
    I think Microsoft wants to follow the Apple model and have a conforming experience on Windows WART. However, that strays from what made Windows good
    Reply
  • DroKing
    Please don't enable Microsoft's cocky attitude...
    Reply
  • deejaybos
    Whether you like it or not, software companies are going to have to support Windows 8 unless they want to fail. Just because we don't like the operating system, doesn't mean they don't want to make money.
    Reply
  • walter87
    deejaybosWhether you like it or not, software companies are going to have to support Windows 8 unless they want to fail. Just because we don't like the operating system, doesn't mean they don't want to make money.Not Necessarily.

    If Windows 8 becomes the next Vista, it will be ridiculed and you might see Windows resort back to their old ways. All depends on the demand market for Windows 8. If it is very successful in both the mobile tablet space and desktop space, then I can see a lot of developers push for metro integration (for ARM at least). Developers aren't going to have many issues worrying about x86, windows 8 will have the same program compatibility as XP or 7.


    Personally to me, the whole metro-ui is a complete turn-off for me. I really like what they've done to improve the performance over win7, but I can't see myself users the
    Reply
  • walter87
    What I meant to say was:
    I can't see myself using Windows 8 on a desktop with the metro UI.
    To me, it seems like it would ruin the whole user experience having to use that tile interface. I'd rather prefer windows 7, all my most used apps are already pinned to my taskbar. (I know the desktop is still available in win8, but you have to constantly go through the metro interface, I still use the start menu and don't see the point of leaving the desktop as a replacement. To me, its a step backwords in usability and experience.
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    I tried Windows 8 Release Preview and after 30 minutes removed that garbage from VMWare. Haven't seen biggest crap than Windows 8 in my life. That Metro shit doesn't belong to Desktop.
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    Vista was more broken because of poor drivers support then anything. While it was more resource intensive then Windows XP and even Windows 7, It was honestly not THAT bad.

    I picked it up when SP1(Along with an extra 4 gigs of memory since it was cheap) came out and had no issues aside of Nvidia's bad 8800GTX drivers(9 months later those drivers did get fixed, but that was way too long). Creatives drivers while bad due to removal of features did seem to work ok(Daniel_K driver pack got all my features back).

    Windows 8 may be in for trouble because it seems to be against multi-tasking(in metro).If i use the built in PDF reader, it seems to only be able to have ONE pdf open at a time(this is just not good for cross referencing papers). Great Idea for tablets and people that use the computer only for "social" networking, but for real work, its not that good. Having the desktop does help this, but it just does not feel quite right to have to play back and forth with metro to desktop a lot.

    Also, would be nice to see some Media Center updates, that could get a metro touch and maybe even benefit from it.

    All in all, once you get used to 8, its not ALL bad, but I think it has more bumps then my XP to Vista(truth be told, I did not use xp much if at all after Vista was installed. I kept it, but just never had a need to go back and use it) trip. Windows 8 has me going back to 7 a fair bit for some things(I just find it faster to use. Not faster in speed, but faster to get things done).
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    although users won't be able to run more than one browser in Metro mode at any given time.

    It's like EA stating that you can either run Orion or Steam, but not both.
    Reply
  • notsleep
    i just love google's strategy. they make stuff for every platform: windows, apple, linux, etc. no platform bias equal maximum returns. :P

    it's too bad nintendo isn't like that. i can't stand their underpowered/stupid peripheral consoles (wii, wii u) but love their characters and games. it would be super if they had zelda and mario on android, ios, windows, etc. instead, we end up playing 'clone' versions on non-nintendo platforms. :(
    Reply