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Internet search engine giant, Google has launched its own Internet browser. Google's product called Chrome, becomes another Internet browser alongside existing browsers including Explorer, FireFox, Safari, Opera and Epiphany amongst others. Google's Chrome is currently available for download as a beta test. However, the arrival of Chrome is not necessarily good news as websites will often behave differently in Chrome with a resulting compromise in user experience.

For Amatica's head of technology Jenni Allen, the introduction of Chrome is another distraction to building effective website and web business systems. "Over a period of time and with the latest releases of Explorer and FireFox, Microsoft and Mozilla have at last managed to align their browsers with an acceptable interpretation of W3C (World Wide Consortium) standards. This has meant that the task of ensuring consistent website behaviour between the two browsers can be managed without too much difficulty."

In initial tests with the Google's Chrome beta test version, Amatica has discovered that website behaviour within a Chrome browser introduces a number of inconsistencies and incompatibilities presenting particular problems web user experience.

Further investigation has revealed that Goggle has applied more rigidly W3C standards and that this produces the conflicting website behaviour when compared in Internet Explorer and FireFox.

"Along comes Google with its new shiny browser - Chrome and it takes a more literal interpretation of the W3C standards. The problem is that the work-arounds and tweaks necessary to deliver website accessibility and consistent user experience under IE and FireFox conflict with Chrome. There's a real danger that website user experience will suffer." said Jenni Allen.

We will be watching closely Chrome's take up and share of the browser market. There will be a critical point when professional companies such as Amatica will need to accommodate Chrome as part of a website delivery programme."

Jenni Allen has worked in the Internet and IT sector since 1993 and leads Amatica's team of developers and designers. She majors on solutions architecture and information analysis and management and is a member of the Usability Professionals Association.

© Amatica 08/10/2008