Submitted by Eric Hill09.03.2008
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This prediction is closed and has been judged.
Judgment on Jan. 2, 2009: Google did not release Chrome by the end of 2008, which the community correctly predicted. -- The Industry Standard
Original prediciton:
The tech world was all a flutter with the surprise release of Google’s new Internet browser, Chrome. The only hitch for some eager first adopters – Chrome is currently PC-only with a Mac version “coming soon”.
How soon is soon? For now, the best a Mac user can do is await an email notification for when the browser is made available.
Will Google offer a downloadable Mac version of the Chrome browser (beta or otherwise) by the end of 2008?
Let the community decide. Place your bets!
Note: For a favorable judgment, the download must be an officially sanctioned file from Google.
Price History
Prediction Statistics
| Betting Closes: | Dec 31 2008 | Current Consensus: | 7.59% | Total Bets: | 112 |
| Today's Change: | 0% | ||||
| Life Time High: | 83.20% | ||||
| Life Time Low: | 7.59% |
Comments
@Eric, just when I looked away, this prediction came into play :(. Given that Chrome for Windows release was sparked by the accidental leak, one has to wonder where the Mac version stands. Also, how much learnings from the Windows version would Google want to take in before releasing a Mac version (see http://googlemac.blogspot.com/2008/09/platforms-and-priorities.html)
We can't make concrete predictions yet; the Windows version is going into beta first, simply by virtue of having had a head start. For a number of reasons, much of the initial prototyping and design was done for Windows. We wanted to make sure that the user experience was very smooth for Windows users as well, and when you're hashing out and testing ideas it can be helpful to not have to do so on three platforms simultaneously. However, once the design started to settle down, we started adding Mac and Linux engineers to the team, and they started getting the ball rolling on those platforms. Since they are in many respects more similar to each other than either is to Windows, we've ended up being able to share code between them, which has sped up development a bit.
Right now, both are in the "pieces build and pass tests, but there's no Chromium application yet." While we're working hard and fast on catching up to the Windows version, we're not setting an artificial date for when they'll be ready--we simply can't predict enough to make a solid estimate, and we expect to learn a lot from the Windows public beta as well. On the plus side, since the project is now public, you'll be able to watch (and maybe even contribute to) the progress from week to week. As these versions stabilize, we will create official betas, much as we are now for the Windows version. While we can't give any dates yet, we'll keep everyone informed as we get closer.
Exactly, so while it took a supposed 2 years to build and release Chrome beta for Windows, it seems quite feasible that the Mac version will come out soon after with all of the lessons learned. Should be an interesting prediction to watch.
Hm, if you read this blog, it sounds as if Google Chrome for Mac could be a ways off. It was posted yesterday, and it doesn't sound like it has been underway for very long. "I'm also looking forward to working with and becoming a part of the WebKit community..."
@Eric, that is my interpretation as well. Looks like they will let Chrome Windows soak a bit while they continue their port to Mac OS. I suspect 1Q09 for Chrome Mac. BTW, your link to the "read this blog" is incorrect. It should be http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/pinkerton/archives/019560.html.
@David: "just when I looked away" Yeah, right. There's no way you can convince us that you ever look away.... :)
People still use PC's?
PC's are still in existence?
@Bradley, I did look away. Scouts honor! When I saw this prediction, it was already at 83% with 5 bets. You're probably at least one of those 5 bets.
Not I. I think I was bet #9.
Another of the big-money people has to be playing this one for a 30+% move that quickly.
Already a flaw identified for Chrome due to use of older version of webkit. This probably mean intensified testing for the Windows counterpart, enhanced security design for the Mac version, etc. All potential contributing signs for delaying Mac version launch.
Whoops! Thanks, @David. Fixed my link.
Found this at http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/macsploitation/attempting-to-build-chrome-fo... who followed a rather flaky build instruction at http://dev.chromium.org/developers/how-tos/build-instructions-os-x which states
"Right now, the Mac build is a work in progress that is much closer to the start than the finish. No application that renders web pages is generated at the end of these instructions!"
Then http://dev.chromium.org/developers/mac-os-x-detailed-status shows only initial stages of porting with creation of TestShell.
So, the question is now whether 3 months to fully port with sufficient testing for a beta release for Mac is really doable or not? At this time, it doesn't look optimistic.
This bet is totally volatile today. 25% drop in one day (after a 33% gain yesterday). And it is still going back and forth fairly regularly. I can't WAIT for us to get the charts on-site so everyone can see this in action.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin said "hopefully, in matter of months" for Chrome Mac.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/09/04/brin.on.chrome.for.mac/
http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/google-founder-brin-lack-of-chrom...
http://www.mactropolis.com/3rd-party-software/sergey-brin-emberrassed-ov...
http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080903/the-chrome-browser-stylings-of-googl...
I hope for 11/1/08
Firefox for Mac is nice, so I'm in no hurry for Chrome to be rushed out for Mac, Windoze for that matter. On the other hand, when it does come out, I will definitely take a close look. What I'm hearing sounds outstanding; just the thing to shake up the browser market even more! BTW, I'm playing on the family Mac while my dual monitor PC sits idle. Mac is so far superior to Windows...
A PC in the year 2000?
Thats so 90's
You do know that in all technicallity a Mac is a PC (Personal Computer).
One that can't support my gaming either.
And one that doesn't give me the control over my OS that I get with Linux or Windows(with few tricks I know).
It does serve it's purpose though, its a computer my girlfriend hasnt managed to break yet due to its sheer oversimplicity. No wonder the entire CIS and Engineering department at my university runs all PCs with Linux and/or Windows on them....
"One that can't support my gaming either.
And one that doesn't give me the control over my OS that I get with Linux or Windows(with few tricks I know)."
These statements simply betray a lack of experimentation. No offense, but if you really let OS X stretch its legs, there are "a few tricks" that give you just as much customizing as Linux and Windows. Linux, IMHO, is the only OS that is built for customizing out of the box though. Windows breaks, often, under tweaking, and OS X deals with it amiably even though it doesn't invite it. I'd use Linux full time if I could, but I have too many pro software needs...
I run all my favorite games on my Mac (Oblivion, WoW, Guild Wars, Second Life), but I'm not hardcore anymore. All-in-all, my productivity must be up over 30% since last year when I switched to Mac.
I don't want to start an OS war, cause they're so tiring. I can't wait to take Chrome for a spin on the Mac! My PC's all use Chrome now, and so far, I prefer it to other browsers.
As of October 2, the implementation details of the sandbox for Mac version is yet to be decided according to one of the developers for Chrome (Nicolas Sylvain). Although design of the sandbox is generic, it has strict dependencies on the underlying OS.
Source: http://blog.chromium.org/2008/10/new-approach-to-browser-security-google...
I just checked the Google Chrome web site for the "Information for Mac" links. Most of the links and references to Mac have been removed, as far as I can tell. Doesn't bode well for a release any time soon.
Actually, there are some progress on Chrome for Mac as per http://dev.chromium.org/developers/mac-os-x-detailed-status. However, they are FAR from having something that can be released.
There's a build of the Mac version at http://securityandthe.net/2008/11/05/chrome-testshell-build-for-macos-x/ if you're interested in having a look at the current status; from the looks of that, I doubt a fully functional beta will be ready before the end of the year!
Official developer page URL has changed from to http://dev.chromium.org/developers/mac-os-x-detailed-status to http://code.google.com/p/chromium/wiki/MacDetailedStatus
they use PC because they are cheap. For the price of 1 good Mac, you can buy 3 sh!!ty PC's.
Well we're coming toward 2009 here and it looks like us mac owners aren't going to be able to experience google chrome by christmas. Why can't any f***ing cool software be for mac? If it wasn't for them, the PC probably wouldn't exist.
You know Mac lovers.., mac is not as good is it is advertised... I'm an architect and i love everything beautiful and after some little research i bought MacBook Pro,, well it have a nice design and so on.,, but it doesn't run most windows apps like 3dsmax or Autocad or etc. instead of this we have very small list of really usefull apps that mac runs... and besides it heats faster than most HP notebooks with windows (fkin vista) - - - >> in mac everithing is not so ideal.
. if you need a pc just for emailing and etc. you are just a brainfacker who doesnt know how to use power of intel processors,.. (you can do this desktop simple shut stuff with smartphone)-- good Laptop or desktop computer is created to use it as a productive machine not just for web browsing with that..
with this mac loses-- (Mac is a noob if we talk about productivity,, and all advers are false.. windows based machines are much more productive...)
---
what about chrome-- it is a really good web browser with some new ideas inside-- i will say this if it integrate some good download manager inside it like (flashget)-- i think it will become most popular web browser in next years,,..
You do realize that you CAN run Windows on the current Intel based line of Macs if you NEED to run software that is Windows only right? You can either have 100% compatibility and play Windows games and such at full speed by using "Boot Camp" to switch between operating systems or you can run both at the same time by using Parallels and/or Fusion, which runs nearly all applications just fine and even some games now and is being improved all the time. The best part is if Windows crashes, it just crashes in the virtualized OS and the Mac OS keeps running fine. Both can even integrate Windows apps so they appear to be OS X apps and can be installed on the Dock, etc.
The only disappointing aspect of Macs these days is the lack of a mid-range and consumer end expandable tower for a reasonable price. Not everyone wants to use all-in-one designs like the iMac. This is where Psystar clones (that Apple is fighting tooth and nail) comes in or building your own "Hackintosh" can help, at least until Apple realizes its hardware internally is nothing special (just run of the mill clone parts these days) and a fancy cover doesn't mean they should get to charge 50%-200% more than the equivalent Dell machine. OS X is worth a premium, IMO over Windows, but not THAT much of a premium and the cost should be on the OS, not the hardware and thus clones should be allowed with a legit purchase of the operating system. Charge more for the OS, if needed, but allow consumers the freedom of choice of hardware (witness how the latest laptops have no 'matte' screen option any more. So I should switch platforms and go back to Windows to get a matte screen??? It's ridiculous. If Apple doesn't want to provide the hardware, they should let someone else. The OS is worth it and blows away Vista. XP was better than Vista. I tried Vista the other day and was annoyed to death with having to OK every single operation twice over. Create a folder; approve/deny not just once but TWICE for the same operation. Give it a name and approve/deny TWICE yet AGAIN with no obvious user way to turn it off (go to msconfig and start fiddling) or at least make it less annoying.... I couldn't stand it. Then they renamed simple things like Add/Remove software to names that are less than suggestive of the function for no apparent reason other than to annoy people. At least the Mac OS changes mostly make sense and add things, not change/remove or make more annoying for no reason (save the new firewall which sucks compared to Tiger's without some adjusting; apparently even Apple can learn bad habits from Microsoft).
Honestly, I'd like to Linux succeed in the long run because both Apple and Microsoft have this god complex of controlling users' experiences with the OS instead of offering freedom of choice and both are greedy as they come to boot. Linux is getting better every day (latest Mandriva is fairly straight forward with only a handful of annoying aspects), but the lack of a uniform file/install method to make commercial software more straight forward is holding it back among other things. Some times TOO MANY choices can be a bad thing also. Overall, I still give the edge to OS X at this point in time for ease of use, efficiency and overall stability. But Apple itself is greedy, arrogant and overbearing, much like Steve Jobs himself and they don't listen to their consumers and have poor user support. They sell what they feel like selling instead of asking users what they'd like to buy. Bug feedback is pointless as they either don't read it or they don't care unless they gets thousands upond thousands of the same report (several AppleTV bugs I sent over a year ago still aren't addressed and they would only take a few minutes to address). Mac users are often fanatics and ignorant of computers and don't listen to a thing you say and blindly worship Steve Jobs. Linux developers and users are smug and elitist and look down on anyone that isn't a programming expert. Windows users run the gamut and so are usually down to earth every day type of people. But Windows is bug and virus-ridden, ineffecient, slow and with Vista, downright awful to use (and more bloated than ever). But it's still the best OS for gaming due to a lack of titles on the Mac and especially Linux. That's an honest overview from a user who has all three operating systems in his den on several different computers and extra devices from AppleTVs to iPod Touches (2 Macs, 1 PC and 1 Linux machine, 2 AppleTVs and 1 iPod Touch).
I'm trying out Opera 9.63 at the moment on one of my Macs. So far, it seems pretty decent. Firefox 3.1.5 is my primary browser on ALL my computers, though. It's expandable, easily configured and can even have a consistent appearance across computers if desired or customized for each. Safari is OK, but lacks customization options and soon may not be able to add any plugins at all. IE is the worst of all browsers, IMO, although the latest incarnations are a huge improvement over past browsers.
Still no sight of Chrome Mac. Unfavorable judgment can now be rendered.
To My Forefathers blah blah blah and VonMagnum,
I recall a Popular Mechanics issues not too long ago (maybe 6 months ago) that did technical and user preference tests on Mac vs. Windows.
They found that Macs are NOT more expensive for the same power.
For equivalent setups, the Mac actually ran Windows slightly better, but then again, there must have been some differences in the hardware.
However when it came to PC newbs, there was significant preference for Mac over PC or vice versa.
I think it just comes down to your personal preference.
Personally, I like both. I have an OS X laptop and a Vista tablet PC. It's got great tablet support.
The whole thing comes down to too much pride and people wanting to fight.
I meant to say there was NOT significant preference for Mac over PC or vice versa.
Chrome Mac is anticipated to be released before the end of June 2009. A new suggestion has been made for this. Please vote.