Recently the world famous browser Google Chrome came out of beta, recently I tried out the Google Chrome 2.x Dev edition, but still it lacks some major functionalities that should be in every browser. Functions which will tempt a power user like me to switch. Before we Start criticizing, lets look at some things which are great about Google Chrome.
What’s Right with Chrome
- Superb Interface
- Crash Free Tab Management
- Built In Task Manager for Tabs
- Good Loading Speed
- Good Rendering with V8 engine (this is not a V8 car engine but a JavaScript rendering engine called V8)
- Incognito Browsing Mode
Well after all these features, people should start switching to Chrome right, well NO, not exactly. Because Chrome lacks many of the basic functionalities a power user expects, so lets see what’s wrong with it.
What’s WRONG with Chrome
- No Add-on Support
- No Ad filter list
- No RSS feeds
- Basic Customization Options
- Bookmarks bar cannot be viewed at all times
- No anonimized browsing (each browser has a unique identification key, by which it can be tracked)
Now these are features a serious surfer expects, until the Google team fixes these, people will be reluctant to switch. Anonymous browsing is a right, C’mon Google, stop tracking people. Give an opportunity for the people to trust you.
Although anonymous browsing can be enabled with software such as UnChrome, this should come from Google.
After the Google team fixes these issues and comes up with these functions, after that only they can at least dream of coming near the Mighty Firefox, for the time being the Firefox is the undefeated KING of browser wars.
Hey Joel, let me clean your list a bit.
Ad filtering is like Ad Block Plus, an addon for firefox. FF doesn’t come with an ads filter list either. So technically, “No Add-on Support” has covered that.
However, if you use Privoxy, Chrome can tweaked to its setting to block ads. (let me know if you want the details)
Also, when you say “Bookmarks bar cannot be viewed at all times,” that isn’t true. Click on the far right “CONTROL” icon and choose “Always show bookmarks bar” or simple do “Ctrl + B”.
For me, I need more customization options and the ability to set a fixed zoom size (like NoSquit addon in FF).
Thanks for the info and UnChrome. I wouldn’t want Google to invade my privacy.
@Nam: Well NAM you were right about the bookmark bar, but let me clear out somethings for you. What I meant ad-block filter was something similar to opera. Since Chrome does not have ad block plus.
Privoxy has some speed issues and I’m bit concerned about my privacy. But Hosts blocking is an ideal way to block ads in chrome.
Yes, UnChrome is very useful in securing our privacy.
If you guys don’t want to have your privacy invaded then you shouldn’t be using Chrome. Google is not known for being, let’s say, pro-privacy.
Two other cons for me:
No title bar – I want the page title displayed at the top of my browser
No status bar – I want to see the page progress
actually the title bar is built into the bar on top. And chrome does have a progress bar, its a swirling circle on the tab you are on.