Google Chrome set to make mark in Thailand | Bangkok Post: tech

BROWSER LAUNCH

Google officially launched its latest browser, Google Chrome, as an alternative for users to experience speed and simplicity of Internet features, with Thailand becoming a prominent market with a large number of local features.

Andrew McGlinchey, left, and local partners, SIS Distribution and True Corp, and Pornthip Kongchun.

According to Andrew McGlinchey, Google Southeast Asia head of product management, Chrome has been built to be fast for today's websites and for the applications of tomorrow. For example, when users interact with Google Earth it will allow them to zoom-in or run 3D graphics. The web has evolved into a global platform and Google Chrome was built to allow users to run applications easily with speed, simplicity, security and privacy.

The browser can be easily downloaded at http://www.google.co.th/chrome.

Every aspect of Google Chrome is optimised for speed to get users where they want as quickly as possible. "Google built a new JavaScript engine for Google Chrome which makes the latest version of Chrome run more than 200 percent faster than the first beta released a year and half ago," McGlinchey said.

Each browser tab operates as a separate process, by isolating tabs. If one tab crashes or misbehaves, others remain stable and responsive. It also comes with SafeBrowsing, a feature that automatically detects malware and phishing attempts and alerts users if they are about to visit a site that may harm their computer.

"Incognito" mode also helps the users keep their privacy, in cases where they search for online shopping and don't want anyone to know.

The new local features, browser extensions and artist themes are available free of charge in Thailand. Initially, there are eight browser extensions partners - Sanook, Tarad, MovieSeer, KBank, SpeedTest, EDTGuide, Long Do Dictionary and True Online.

Extension service is the application added on Chrome browser. Extensions are small programs that can add informative, fun or useful functionality to the browser that makes the browsing experience more personalised and it is one of the key features. McGlinchey said Thailand has more Extensions than any other country because lots of online companies in Thailand are growing very quickly and Google is very popular here.

Google Chrome combines the search and address bar into one at the top of the browser called Omnibox which quickly takes users where they want to go, often with just a few key strokes. The browser can automatically detect when a Thai language user visits a site in a different language and translates the entire website into Thai in less than a second. The latest version of Google Chrome can synchronise users' bookmarks and browser preferences in the cloud so that users can access their personalised browser settings and sites from any computer, anywhere.

KBank vice president Chatchai Payuhanaveechai said KBank has tried to embark on the digital business and the bank has done development to go along with Google. This is the starting point that can further develop for the financial information such as exchange rates, promotion of the day, and so on, he said.

True will be making Google Chrome the default browser on hundreds of desktops in its Internet cafes nationwide and will also be introducing to its new broadband customers on several online welcome pages. Non Ingkutanon, True Corp general manager for Wire-line Broadband Services Business, said that three customer groups of TrueOnline including high-speed, wi-fi and general users are all combined into over one million users today, and the the collaboration between True and Google will make Google Chrome an option browser for users.

Chrome browser will be also distributed through some 4,000 retail stores of SIS Distribution (Thailand).

Users can easily select one of the Thai themes or install dozens of others submitted by artists around the world at http://www.google.co.th/chrome/artists.

Tell us what you think about this article

Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked it

Share this article

0

0

• More +

• Republishing permission
• Print this

Bangkok Post online classifieds

Try buying & selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local & expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.