Looking to add yet more shine to the appeal of its Chrome browser as a simple but speedy alternative to the likes of Internet Explorer and Firefox, platform maker Google has unveiled a stable downloadable version of Chrome v3.0.

Marking a full year of activity and availability in the hard-fought Web browsing arena, Google’s latest release touts a significant percent performance improvement and comes as the California-based search giant strives to secure a 10 percent market share for its Chrome browser by 2011.

“If at the two-year birthday we’re not at least 5 percent (market share), I will be exceptionally disappointed,??? commented Chrome Engineering Director Linus Upson in a Reuters report.

“And if at the three-year birthday we’re not at 10 percent, I will be exceptionally disappointed,??? he added.

Beyond providing Chrome users with enhanced surf speed, version 3.0 also includes aesthetic themes, which, much like Personas for Firefox, allows personal customisation of the browser’s appearance.

The release of Chrome version 3.0 comes in the same week Google has promised to have a stable Mac version of its sleek browser ready for full consumer download by the close of 2009.

In terms of current market share figures, research firm Net Applications offers that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is enjoying dominance to the tune of 67 percent, while Mozilla’s Firefox has a secure second place with 23 percent, and Apple’s Safari browser sits in third with 4.0 percent.

SOURCE: The Tech Herald



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