Google released it’s own web browser “Google Chrome” yesterday. 

Why the need for a new browser? Google felt that the browser has not evolved too much since the old days and to support today’s web applications browsers will need to be re-engineered.

Google decided to wipe the slate clean and start over with Google Chrome though it’s open source project “Chromium”.

To start, It’s open source under a permissive BSD license. Developers will get the best from the project and vice versa.

Unlike other browsers, Chrome is multi-processed. Each tab runs in it’s own memory space. While one tab is processing other tabs no longer need to wait. If java scripts get too heavy you only need to kill the tab in question. Also, there is a task manager built in to show you the processes running in each tab, allowing you to kill them if needed.

The user interface has also been slimmed down tremendously. No more clutter and no unnecessary information is is visible. The smart address bar does it all.

Currently Google Chrome is only available for Windows. A Linux version is on its way.

Take it for a spin

Source: Chromium || LifeHacker ||

Google has Linux software repositories setup for you to easily stay up to date with their Linux softwares. Their repositories support  APT, YUM, YaST, urpmi and RPM.

However, only Google Desktop and Google Picasa are published on the repositories. Google earth has to be downloaded and installed manually.

I’ll show you how to add the repository in openSUSE but for other distros refer here.

1. As root add the repository.

For 32 bit
pandora:~ # zypper sa -t YUM http://dl.google.com/linux/rpm/stable/i386 google

For 64 bit
pandora:~ # zypper sa -t YUM http://dl.google.com/linux/rpm/stable/x86_64 google64

2. Test the repository
pandora:~ # zypper se picasa

pandora:~ # zypper in picasa

Done!!

Beijing 2008 is currently the biggest buzz around the globe. Google has a few tools up it’s sleeve to help keep you updated on everything Beijing 2008.

You might have already discovered is that Google changing it’s doodle everyday since the start of Beijing 2008. The doodles are also reflected in all Google Mobile services.

Google Mobile provides quick access right from your mobile devices. You get access to latest medal counts and all the latest news relating to Beijing 2008.

Google Mobile

Another tool provided by Google is the Google Beijing 2008 widget for iGoogle. It keeps you updated on the latest medals counts, events schedules and news right from your browser. Install the widget.

Google maps has not been spared too. Every venue is mapped and best of all, a full 3D tour of the venue is also provided through Google Earth. Check it out.

Enjoy your Olympics with Google

Source: Google Summer Games 2008

My Gmail's down

I’m receiving this after a long time. Seen the same yourself?

Lively is Google’s answer to Second Life. An online 3D social network which allows users to interact with each other and their surroundings. Build your avatar, choose and room and you are ready to mingle.

Second Life has been around for a few years now, it’s going to be interesting to see how Lively competes with the big boy.

See Lively in action.

Source: Lively by Google