If you’ve been on the internet long enough, you’ve probably seen or heard about Google Chrome and how popular it is. But what is Google Chrome, and should you use it?
Let’s explore what Google Chrome is and if you should use it.
What Is Google Chrome?
Google Chrome is, at the time of writing, the most-used browser on the internet. As you’d expect from the name, it’s a product of the tech giant Google.
Google Chrome was first released back in 2008 when browser technology was still developing. It used all of the modern-day enhancements for the time and provided a quick and seamless experience for its users. While it started at only one percent of the market share, it eventually rose to take the position of the most-used browser in the world.
It’s worth noting that Google Chrome is different from Chrome OS. The former is a web browser, while the latter is an operating system that powers an entire computer. That’s why it has “OS” in the name; it stands for “operating system.”
If you haven’t heard of Google Chrome before, it’s very likely that your PC won’t have it installed by default. Don’t worry, though; you can always download it for free on the Google Chrome website.
Why Do People Use Google Chrome?
As we mentioned above, Google Chrome’s performance is one of the best on the internet. It’s quick, it’s easy to use, and there’s plenty you can customize with it.
Because Google had a hand in making Chrome, you can also expect some cross-compatibility with other products from the tech giant. For example, you can sign into Chrome with your Google account, and it’ll keep tabs on your history and sync it with Chrome on your other devices.
Also, if you own a Chromecast, Chrome makes it really easy to share content on the big screen. While other browsers struggle a little to get the connection working, Google Chrome can cast content with the click of a button, as you may expect.
In essence, Chrome is just an excellent browser; so excellent, in fact, that some of Google’s competition has scrapped its own browser and replaced it with the codebase that Chrome uses. This codebase is called “Chromium.”
What Is Chromium?
If you want to learn more about Google Chrome, it’s worth noting the codebase that powers it: Chromium.
Chromium is an open-source browser base that acts as the beating heart for Chrome. Because it’s free for anyone to see and download, you can make your own browser with it. This means you’ll have a browser that has all the finesse and power of Google Chrome but contains personal touches that make your browser unique.
So, if anyone can download Chromium and make a browser out of it, why isn’t every browser using it? Well, the truth is… it’s kind of already happening.
Microsoft used to have its own browser, called Edge. It didn’t do so well versus the other browsers, so the company ended up scrapping it and releasing a Chromium version of Edge.
The change was a huge improvement for the browser. In fact, in just over a year, Microsoft Edge overtook Firefox for worldwide users.
As such, there are plenty of browsers out there that use Chromium, both old and new. This is why it’s so important to talk about Chromium when we’re on the topic of Google Chrome; it’s the beating heart behind not only the most popular browser at the time of writing but also for many other browsers too.
Should You Switch to Google Chrome?
So, you now know that Google Chrome is the most popular browser out there, as well as one of the most powerful entries. However, just because something is both popular and good doesn’t automatically mean you should use it.
For one, Google Chrome is definitely not the first choice for protecting your privacy. Google recently revealed how much data it tracks when a user uses either Chrome or its search engine, and the amount of data that’s harvested may worry you.
Google says that it collects that data to help provide the services that it does. As such, it comes down to you to make a judgment call. Do you believe Google when it says that the data collection is for your own good? And if you do, are you comfortable with the browser noting down everything you do?
If the answer to either of the above is “no,” it’s best to stay away from Chrome and use a browser that better respects your privacy. You could even go for a Chromium-based browser to keep all of the performance of Chrome without Google collecting your data.
On the other hand, the above may not be a huge deal if you’re already subscribed to the Google ecosystem. If you have an Android phone on hand, a Chromecast plugged into your TV, and a Google Home Hub waiting for your beck and call, using Chrome allows you to bring your computer into that same space seamlessly.
For instance, you can sign in to your Google account in Chrome, and it’ll connect up with all your other Google devices. For instance, you can send tabs from your PC to your phone or cast a tab from your PC onto your TV.
As such, using Google Chrome is down to if you like the browser’s performance, you’re okay with the data the browser collects, and you have a Google ecosystem in your home. These metrics will be a good measurement of if Google Chrome is worth your time or not.
Getting More At Home With Google Chrome
Google Chrome is the internet’s most loved browser, but it’s not for everyone. Now you know what the browser is, why people like it, and whether it’s best for you or not.
If you decide to download Chrome, you may notice that it has a habit of eating up RAM. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce its hunger, like using the in-browser Task Manager to close offending tabs.
Image Credit: slyellow/Shutterstock.com
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