Will Google Chrome Change the Google v Microsoft Battle?

In early September Google released Google Chrome, its first Web browser. After a lot of initial buzz, its popularity has been underwhelming. A 1.5% market share would make a lot of people ecstatic, but it doesn't make much of a dent in Microsoft Explorer, which still rules the market share roost.

Chrome has a few handy attributes, including speed, access keys, and streamlined search. Not bad, but nowhere near compelling enough to start a stampede away from Explorer or FireFox.

Still, it's way too early to count out Chrome. It'll be interesting to see how Google integrates their browser with apps like Google Docs, Reader, and Gmail. If Google can bundle all these tools together in a way that makes life easy and complete, Chrome might become quite popular as an add-on or even an afterthought.

Google is making a lot of progress in developing a full set of business support tools. In this area, Microsoft is still the Cadillac, in every sense of the word - sophisticated, high quality, expensive, and past its prime. If Google is the Toyota Scion (or whatever up and coming car), they should position Chrome as the floor mats. 

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