Google Upgrades Internet Explorer With Chrome
Google has released a Chrome Plug-in for Internet Explorer in an effort to please those still stuck using Explorer for one reason or another.
Plenty of people are still using Internet Explorer 6 because their place of work won't upgrade to the updated version of Microsoft's browser. With the introduction of Chrome Frame, Google is looking to help employees move on without forcing their bosses to do the same.
Chrome Frame essentially transforms Explorer into Chrome by bringing an open HTML5 and other technologies to IE. Google engineers working on Chrome Frame say that the purpose is to help developers take advantage of the latest open web technologies.
"Recent JavaScript performance improvements and the emergence of HTML5 have enabled web applications to do things that could previously only be done by desktop software," wrote software engineers Alex Russell and Amit Joshi, along with project manager Mike Smith. "One challenge developers face in using these new technologies is that they are not yet supported by Internet Explorer. Developers can't afford to ignore IE — most people use some version of IE — so they end up spending lots of time implementing work-arounds or limiting the functionality of their apps," the trio continue.
Russell, Joshi and Smith go on to say that with Google Chrome Frame, developers can now take advantage of a faster Javascript engine, support for technologies like HTML5's offline capabilities and <canvas>, to modern CSS/Layout handling.
Peep the video below for more or check out Google's Chromium blog.
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As most instances of sticking with IE6 are inside businesses, there's a slight problem with this: if you can't upgrade IE because of a locked corporate environment then it's highly unlikely you can install a new browser plug-in.
And if the IT department is going to get paid to deploy a site-wide plug-in then they might as well do a site-wide upgrade of the browser itself.
I guess that would depend possibly on other apps used within the company. Maybe useful where they cant upgrade to later versions because of app compatibility? Otherwise its as you say, may as well upgrade.
That's all fine and dandy until Microsoft inadvertently or "accidentally" break their plugin.
Software companies really need to have the balls to say that IE isn't supported if needs be. Only then will there be enough reason for Microsoft to resolve any problems with IE. Like any other company they will respond to demand if the level is appropriate.
It's a bit of slap in the face from Google to Microsoft though.