Game on: Google releases Metro-style Windows 8 browser
Summary: Google officially shipped the first non-Microsoft browser for Windows 8 today. It's a test release, and it's noteworthy precisely because it doesn't follow any of the Metro design conventions, as IE does. But will Chrome fans really care?
As promised, Google released its first stab at a Metro style enabled desktop browser for Windows 8 this week.
The new code appeared late this afternoon and is available as an automatic update on the Dev channel.
To unlock the Metro style browser, you have to be running the Windows 8 Release Preview and you need to set Chrome as the default browser. Doing so changes the Chrome icon on the Start screen, as shown here:
It’s obvious from this first attempt that Google either hasn’t studied the Metro design guidelines or has studiously ignored them.
In its Metro personality, Chrome 21.0.1171.0 doesn’t use any Metro style conventions: right-clicking or pressing Windows key+Z should reveal the App bar at the bottom of the screen, where app-specific commands reside. Google has decided instead to replicate its browser menu in the Metro container.
Right-clicking elsewhere on a web page results in more context menus. That's business as usual for desktop programs but a deviation from Metro design guidelines.
In its announcement last week, Google promised that the first Metro release would "include integration with basic Windows 8 functionality, such as charms and snap view." This build technically delivers on that promise, but the word basic is key. You can use the Settings charm, for example, but all of the Chrome-specific options simply open settings pages or dialogs in the browser.
A few Windows 8-specific options didn't work until after I had signed out and then signed back in after installing the new Chrome. The Search charm, for example, appeared to allow the Windows 8 search interface to work with the Metro-style Chrome, but on my test system clicking the Search button did nothing until after I signed in for a new session.
The new build resembles Microsoft’s Internet Explorer in one key respect: the new Chrome supports Flash playback, with Flash Player 11.3.31.109 available using the built-in Flash code that’s part of Chrome. Unlike IE 10, Flash playback in Chrome isn’t limited to sites that are on a managed whitelist. Flash content—even in ads—will apparently play back from any site.
If this were a pure Metro app, Google would have to deliver it through the Windows Store, where Microsoft could presumably veto it for its design transgressions. But "Metro Style enabled desktop browsers" are a special type of hybrid app; because the code is delivered through external channels, Microsoft has no ability to give it a thumbs down.
Windows 8 designers will probably be annoyed by this deviation from what a Metro app is supposed to be. Google has promised that it will be "smoothing out the UI on Metro and improving touch support" over the next few months. Chrome fans, however, might not care. The new Chrome has a multi-tabbed interface and looks sufficiently like its desktop counterpart that it’s likely to win a big thumbs up precisely because it’s not Metro-ized.
See also:
- Google teases upcoming release of Metro-enabled Chrome browser
- Mozilla and Google accuse Microsoft of unfair browser competition
- Mozilla begins development of Firefox for Metro
- Google joins Windows 8 browser war with plans for Metro Chrome
Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.
Talkback
Hmmm desktop clone?
I am hoping this is just the beginning and many more alterations will occur that will take advantage of Metro in time to come.
Same holds true for Win8
Not true.
People can keep screaming that Metro is terrible, but it's been around (from Microsoft, under the same name) for 17 years. And when it came out, people loved it.
Also, don't you think Microsoft has looked into this? Don't you think that they know they have a market? The Windows Phone and Win8 tablet market is huge. The desktop (and even laptop) is on the decline. They are setting up for a huge paradigm shift. Stop whining.
Windows Z key for App Bar Menu? Is that touch?
probably because they are close to each other and can be easily
It is lazy and since you can put the Windows 7 version of Chrome ...
My thoughts too glidem
It's a good job it's a very early beta.
C'mon Google...
The obviously don't see Metro as the future...
Not exactly
Why should they...Microsoft doesn't play by its rules either.....
How are they not following the metro guidelines?
How is IE not following the Metro guidlines?
Par for the course
An awesome observation
Another possibility
hmmm
- oddly, a few features didn't work until I restarted my pc.
- there's a "show notifications" toggle under the Settings Charm for Chrome (and in the PC Settings)--anyone know what notifications can be displayed?
Browsers only
I'll say it again
Ugh