While Explorer and Firefox were enjoying hot dogs and potato salad at their Labor Day BBQ's this weekend, Google put in some extra time in the office to launch a new browser to challenge the incumbents.
Google's new browser, Google Chrome, was developed as an Open Source browser - which means that developers can build applications and add-ons that can be downloaded by the consumer to enhance their browsing experience. According to Google blogger and VP of Product Management, Sundar Pichai, Google even used components from the competing browser, Firefox to create their initial BETA which should be available sometime today. Google Chrome will attempt to sway the balance of power in the Browser world.
What does this mean for your web site?
When new versions of browsers launch, they tend to render web sites differently. Sometimes, web sites need to be reconfigured to look good or function correctly when a new version is launched. This means that you should definitely test your current site thoroughly later today when Google Chrome is available.
Google's BBQ area was vacant this Labor Day weekend. Instead, they served employees working on the Google Chrome launch plenty of stock option salad.