Google Chrome launches on iPhone and iPad
Published Jun 29 2012, 12:09 BST | By Andrew Laughlin
Google has rolled out app versions of its Chrome web browser for Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.The Chrome for iOS app allows users to sync their "personalised Chrome experience" from the desktop computer to Apple's iOS devices. This includes all tabs, web history and passwords.
However, Apple will not allow users to swap Chrome for its own Safari, which will remain the default web browser in iPad, iPhone and iPod.
The free Chrome download will run on any devices running iOS 4.3 and above, with a version for the new iOS 6 due out later in the year.
The launch of Chrome offers another option to iOS users, alongside Safari and Opera Software's Opera Mini browser.
This could put pressure on Apple to allow Mozilla's Firefox and Microsoft's Internet Explorer to also become available on its smartphones and tablets.
Users of the iOS version of Chrome can switch between an unlimited number of tabs using swipe gestures.
They can send pages directly from the desktop Chrome to their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with one click, even when offline.
An 'Incognito' option is available for privacy, allowing people to browse the web without having their history recorded.
Google claims that Chrome is now the most popular web browser in the world. At the I/O conference in San Francisco this week, the firm said that Chrome has 310m active users, up from just 70m users two years ago.
Also at the conference, Google said that Google Drive, the cloud storage service launched earlier in the year, is now available as an app for iOS devices, joining the already available Android and Chrome versions.
I've downloaded it but I'm so far sticking to Safari, all my bookmarks are stored on Firefox on my PC so using Xmarks to sync with Internet Explorer and iCloud to sync from Internet Explorer to iOS, it works a treat, bookmarks are always fully up to date on my iPad and PC. I don't use Chrome much on my PC so bookmarks are a bit out of date.
June 30th 2012 at 12:35pm
It's a feature having your devices all synced up to one another. Reading a webpage on my ipad at home and then looking at my ipad history on my iphone out and about is a definite plus. Not essential but still a very nice feature. Google Drive is also (if rather limited) addition to the fold. I agree anti-trust does appear possible but that is that becomes any big corporate trying to keep ahead in the market.
June 29th 2012 at 10:28pm
Interesting.. The real question is will google and apple be under pressure from anti-trust the same way Microsoft was over Internet explorer on their own platform.. In my opinion these companies should not be given special treatment and I don't see why apple are being allowed to force their media and web browser when Microsoft are not allowed to do the same
June 29th 2012 at 7:40pm
Does this mean iPhone users can use chrome to view flash vids or will apple still be able to stop this?
June 29th 2012 at 12:32pm(+1 like)
I'd add that it still runs webkit which is Apple's engine that is used in safari, Chrome is just new paint on the same car.
June 29th 2012 at 12:15pm(+2 likes)