A layer of Chrome for the web

Google is releasing a full fledged browser called Chrome. And many pundits already speculate that this will in the end lead to a web-based Google OS in direct confrontation with Microsoft’s dominant Windows platform.

That may all well be, but I still think there are at least three huge challenges, Google has to overcome, before they can even begin to realize their dream of beating Microsoft at their own game.

First of all, Google needs to get out there in front of the end users. People are not going to download this in large numbers. Just look at where Mozilla’s at right now. Of course this can be solved through OEM deals with the various hardware manufacturers, but Google needs to come up with a serious value proposition in order to effectively smash Microsoft’s very succesful partner ecosystem.

Second, Google will have to convince people to change their habits. There may be quite a few people out there for whom Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) really isn’t getting the job done, but my bet is that for most people, IE is simply good enough. And that’s often the hargest position to compete against. Because why fix something that you don’t think is broken?

Thirdly, Google still has to convince people at large that they can do anything else than a search engine. If you take a look at how Google’s overall traffic pans out across products, search is still the far, far, far dominant player. All the rest (with Google Maps as the odd exception) are pretty much petty in comparison. So saying that Google has an awsome track record in launching new succesful products would perhaps be to take just a few too many words in your mouth.

PS: Yes, it may be that the tech community will love Chrome and build up a huge buzz around it. But last time I checked, the tech community didn’t constitute the majority of users out there. Far from it.

Vad NU! is a consultancy company owned by Mads Kristensen and specialized in helping clients take advantage of the business opportunities created by new media. Click to learn how I can help you and your company.