Get Some Chrome....

[jdmidwest]

Google released their new internet browser based on a Safari type core software. Trying it out tonight. Seems pretty fast and clean. I have been a Firefox fan for years, I have used Opera also. Tried Safari for a while and was not impressed.

Good things about Chrome.

Seems to be clean and fast.

No clutter in the menus.

Imports Firefox settings.

Easy to configure.

Bad.

No scrolling with mouse?

Not much help configuring it.

Can't download it as a standalone software, have to let Google do a web install.

Time will tell.

[jdmidwest]

Just run across this on the web tonight. Seems like Chrome is a tracker that reports back to Google. I did note that it started a new Google update service that automatically loads each time the computer starts.

Google Chrome's Fine Print Spurs Privacy Concerns

Jennifer LeClaire, newsfactor.com

Wed Sep 3, 4:56 PM ET

Google Chrome didn't even make it through 24 hours of downloads before stirring controversy. The search giant's new Web browser is in the privacy spotlight thanks to terms of service that give it rights some may not want to grant.

"There are some questions about exactly what the browser is capturing. The licensing agreement says it is sending everything you type back to Google so it can better find searches. But are folks going to be comfortable with that?" asked Michael Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy for Jupitermedia.

Pushing Downloads Automatically

That's a question more people are beginning to ask. On the surface, Google said it designed a browser window that is streamlined and simple. Under the hood, Google said it was able to build the foundation of a browser that runs today's complex Web applications much better. But what else does it do?

According to Google Chrome's terms of service, the software may automatically download and install updates from time to time from Google. Google promises these updates are designed to "improve, enhance and further develop" the services, and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. When you download Chrome, you agree to receive the updates.

Given Google's philosophy to "launch early and iterate," its desire to automatically download and install updates to the user's PC doesn't surprise analysts. Google has said Chrome is far from done. The company is releasing the beta for Windows to start a broader discussion and get feedback from consumers as quickly as possible.

Perpetual, Irrevocable, Worldwide Rights

It's the latter part of the terms of service that are begging questions. Google Chrome users must agree that:

"By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services."

Chrome's service terms also indicate that some of the services are supported by advertising revenue and may display advertisements and promotions. These advertisements, Google explained, may be targeted to the content of information stored on the services, queries made through the services, or other information.

Read the Fine Print

Noteworthy is the fact that Chrome's terms of service have similar wording to Google Docs' service terms. Google got backlash for its terms when it released the Web-based software in August 2007.

Gartenberg noted that when you download Chrome, you receive a unique browser identifier number. That means Google not only knows what people are typing, but Google also knows what browser it came from.

"People may want to read the fine print on that license agreement very carefully in terms of what you are sending back to Google," Gartenberg advised. "It always pays to read the fine print."

Rebecca Ward, senior product counsel for Google Chrome, commented, "In order to keep things simple for our users, we try to use the same set of legal terms for many of our products. Sometimes, as in the case of Google Chrome, this means that the legal terms for a specific product may include terms that don't apply well to the use of that product. We are working quickly to remove language from Section 11 of the current Google Chrome terms of service. This change will apply retroactively to all users who have downloaded Google Chrome."

[Danoinark]

JD

After reading about it yesterday I had a feeling that there were going to be issues such as tracking since Google primarily relies on its market research to place its ads on its search engine.

To bad.

Dano

[jdmidwest]

Yep, looks like it is a major tracker, almost akin to spyware except you agree to it in the terms (which nobody reads including me). It was fast but I did not like it compared to Firefox. I like my addins and features.

About all I read today on the net today said the same thing, just another way for Google to keep track of things to promote its marketing ability. They are really going to push it into the mobile phone market which makes sense.

[Zack Hoyt]

Don't quite classify me as a "tinfoil hat" kinda guy, but I would prefer to not have my surfing habits available for uncle sam at his whim. Prior court cases have shown Google is more than happy to turn over all search's made by an IP any time asked.

On the mobile front, I just downloaded Opera Mobile and absolutely love it. I just wish cell phones had more security. It is nice to be able to check all your accounts from your phone, but when the guy down the hall is copying all your info.......well you know.

[jdmidwest]

Just had to dig this one up. Chrome is getting closer to tracking than ever. I ditched it as soon as I downloaded the first version. Now they are on the brink of creating a OS that could replace Microsoft, with some invasion of privacy issues. A few months ago, they were caught tracking wireless computer signals and realistically could have been monitoring your connection. Now this, they can show where you are.

Don't look now, but Google is following you.