In a blog written by Jason Kottke, the possibility of Google creating a web browser was discussed. The idea centers around building the browser based on Mozilla’s. Considering the fact that Google has distanced itself from being a pure search entity, an idea like this seems very plausible.
In Jason’s blog entry, he gives proper credit to Anil Dash, winner of the Nigritude Ultramarine Stayer competition. Anil first discussed the idea of Google making a web browser based on Mozilla last summer. According to Jason’s blog, this speculation seems to be on its way to fruition. He refers to the Mozilla Developer Day 2004 that was just recently held at the Google campus.
Because Google is investing time and effort into JavaScript-based web applications like Gmail and Blogger, Jason speculates that creating apps for Mozilla based on JavaScript is quite a possibility:
“Google could use their JavaScript expertise (in the form of Gmail ubercoder Chris Wetherell) to build Mozilla applications. Built-in blogging tools. Built-in Gmail tools. Built-in search tools. A search pane that watches what you’re browsing and suggests related pages and search queries or watches what you’re blogging and suggests related pages, news items, or emails you’ve written.”
If the Google Browser does become reality, it would solidify the already positive buzz that Mozilla is receiving. Mozilla positive buzz comes stems people recommending their browser instead of Internet Explorer, which still suffers from the perception of being a security liability. Jason offers this thought, “A Google Browser would give the Mozilla platform instant credibility…”
I, for one, welcome the idea of a Google/Mozilla web browser.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest search news.
