Chrome to Lose Beta Status -- Already?
by Kristin Shoemaker - Dec. 11, 2008Comments (0)- Related Blog Posts
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TechCrunch's Michael Arrington is reporting that Google's vice president Marissa Mayer told him in an interview that Chrome will be coming out of beta.
Mayer didn't give a definite time frame, but one would assume that this would mean sooner rather than later. This announcement is a little surprising for a few reasons.
Chrome is a new arrival on the browser scene -- it's not yet six months old. It's a new addition to the "public" Google family (though without a doubt it was tested internally for quite some time). While "how fresh" an application is doesn't determine whether it's still in beta, there's the nagging fact that Google has traditionally kept applications and services in beta for a very long time. Gmail is still in beta, as is Google Scholar and Google Book Search, and all pre-date Chrome.
It could be an apple to oranges comparison. Different projects move at different paces, but this seems jarringly out of Google's character. Some speculate this (seeming) rush from beta has to do with Google wanting to include Chrome pre-installed on desktops. Perhaps it has something to do with encouraging more developers to work with its newly announced Native Client project.
Considering that there isn't a native Linux or Mac version of Chrome available at this time, comparatively few plug-ins and add-ons, and reports that Chrome is squirrely with sites like Hotmail, is this a good time to take it out of beta? The Windows-only availability is less confusing -- it would be simple enough to offer Chrome for alternative operating systems as separate testing versions when the time arrives. But there is a real danger rushing projects to market -- whether they are free or cost money.
I can't imagine that Google hasn't considered this -- and possibly lost a bit of sleep over the way things could play out with either decision. The question remains, will Chrome move from beta soon? And if it does -- is it ready?
Update: Google has taken Chrome out of beta. Find out more at GigaOm.
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