Google's new browser Chrome has got blogs and newswires buzzing about the search giant's continued foray into Microsoft's core territory and I am not referring to their browser, the real challenge is to Microsoft's software applications. Obviously Chrome also signifies a challenge Internet Explorers' 72 percent browser dominance, especially as the struggle to snap up online advertising dollars continues to grow.

The launch of the beta version of Chrome has given people the chance to put the site through its paces. Given that I'm a Mac user I had to test drive it on a PC which was a shame, but no doubt Google will come up with a version that is OS X compatible before too long. After all, Google's persona seems much more 'Mac guy' oriented.

The general consensus, so far, seems to be pretty positive. Aside from the major factor that Chrome is really 'kick-ass' fast, the browser automatically lists the tabs of your most visited sites, it also allows the user to store URL thumbnails on your desktop providing shortcuts which can be useful.The optional 'porn mode' also allows you to surf XXX rated material freely without cookies being embedded, which is always a relief. Knowing that you can peruse at your leisure while remaining in 'stealth' mode is more than gratifying. User satisfaction trumps tracking in my opinion especially when it comes to undesirable, if not unintentional pop-ups, if you know what I mean.

 

But what the advent of Chrome has done is to move many corporations, as well as individuals, into accepting the future: SaaS (Software as a Service) long touted as the cloud computing dream, has arrived. Now Google's browser on your desktop will enable a quick and seamless portal to plethora of media rich applications,

Other than speed, the hesitation with SaaS being widely adopted has been its perceived accessibility and security, the notion that data was just milling about for anyone to access in cyberspace, understandably put consumers and businesses off. Fortunately, with companies like Qualys and Symantec, building tighter security systems and erecting firewalls, phising and pharming scams are becoming less-and-less of a concern and as a tech savvy culture we've have collectively become more comfortable knowing that.

Jon Brody, VP at TriCipher, a low cost portal management company based in Los Gatos, has a keen interest in the popular adoption of Chrome. In addition to the new tab management features "Chrome's process per tab would portend to a greater JavaScript speeds and enhanced security minimizing malware."

He went on to say that with Google's acquisition of the virtual security software company, GreenBorder in mid May last year, went some way to suggest that virtual threats on Chrome would be minimized.

GreenBorder lets computer operators combine hardware and software to create "virtual" machines where tasks such as reading e-mails or exploring websites can be done without exposing systems to viruses or other malicious programs. Web-based programs that try to access files or computer registries are stopped from leaving what are known as online "sandboxes". The virtual "sandboxes" vanish at the end of each session, taking hacker assaults such as spyware, viruses, and trojans with them.

TriCipher, a startup founded in 2000, provides a secure unified authentication infrastructure enabling a single access code to all your company's remote SaaS applications, be it from your desktop, or while on the move. No more irritating multiple login codes with Tricipher's myOneLogin enabling access all your WebEx, Google Apps and Salesforce.com accounts.

Chrome has another distinct advantage over Microsoft's IE browser, which was highlighted by none other than Tim Berners Lee, the founder of the Web: Internet Explorer 7 and even the new version 8 doesn't allow Scaleable Vector Graphics (SVG) which may cause users to look more closely at a Chrome option.

Once Google's new browser is available and as easy to use on my Mac as Mozilla's Firefox I may just take a shine to Chrome and make the switch.