DigitalSandbox

So you probably heard some buzzing yesterday about Google’s new browser, Chrome. I downloaded it and tried it out a little. It’s not bad. My first impression is that there is nothing really wrong with it — but there is nothing really special about it either. And that last statement could be it’s biggest problem.

If you want to get me to switch browsers you have to offer me something special. I already use two browsers (Safari for Mac, Firefox for Windows) so if you want me to switch there had better be a good reason to do so. Even Safari on Windows can’t make me switch from Firefox. And Firefox on Mac hasn’t made me switch from Safari. The reason is subtle and complicated, but basically it boils down to the fact I browse differently at work than at home. Those browsers fit the bill for each mode.

So even though I don’t have a real problem with Chrome, I don’t see myself switching to it as my “daily driver.” There simply isn’t a feature there that is compelling enough to make me switch. There are many nice features and even features that are missing from the browsers that I use currently, but those features aren’t compelling enough for a switch. They might be for some people, but there isn’t anything there that I feel I am missing from my current browsing experience.