Google is on a roll at I/O, with the second day of proceedings again bringing in a number of notable announcements and releases that will certainly please iOS users. Day two of the event is well underway with delegates and attending developers being informed that Google’s Chrome browser has been released for iPhone and iPad and is now available for download immediately.
Google Chrome is one of the world’s most advanced and popular web browser, used by millions of people around the world on desktop and notebook computers, as well as mobile devices running the Android OS. Until now, users of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad had been left in the dark in terms of an official Chrome release, and instead had to settle for Apple’s Mobile Safari or other alternative browsers on the App Store.
Google Chrome for iOS allows users to benefit from the same lightning fast speed which Chrome is famous for and blesses users with full Google account services and synchronization of data across multiple devices registered under the same account. An excellent tabbed browsing experience that offers unlimited number of opened tabs will also make an appearance in the iOS Chrome build. Incognito browsing is also making an appearance in this mobile version of Chrome, affording users the same luxuries as the desktop version relating to private browsing.
One of the great things about Google pushing out a native build of Chrome for iOS is that it will allow millions of people to enjoy a more consistent web browsing experience across the multiple devices that they own rather than having to flick between Chrome and Mobile Safari. Demonstrated by Brian Rakowski, who is the VP of the Chrome division at Google, the browser does indeed give Mobile Safari a healthy competition on the same platform.
The release of Chrome is definitely a welcome addition to the App Store, but sadly, Apple doesn’t allow iOS users to set any other browser as default apart from Safari, meaning that any app or link that requires a web browser to be opened will automatically invoke Mobile Safari instead of anything else. Users who are involved in jailbreaking will be aware of a tweak that allows default browser settings to be altered, but stock users will need to get used to a rather choppy experience.
It is also important to note that in order to comply with guidelines of Apple’s App Store, Chrome for iOS uses same engine as Mobile Safari.
Chrome for iOS can be downloaded right now from iTunes App Store here.
Be sure to check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.