It's always been confusing to me that the web browser in Google Android is not based on the company's excellent Chrome browser for PC desktops. That's changing, though: Google announced today the release of the beta version of Chrome for Android, though it's only available on device based on the very newest Android version, Android 4.0.
"Today, we're introducing Chrome for Android Beta, which brings many of the things you’ve come to love about Chrome to your Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich phone or tablet," Google senior vice president Sundar Pichai wrote in a blog post. "Like the desktop version, Chrome for Android Beta is focused on speed and simplicity, but it also features seamless sign-in and sync so you can take your personalized web browsing experience with you wherever you go, across devices."
According to Google, the key aspects of Chrome for Android are:
Speed. Chrome for Android features quick scrolling, background loading during searches, and the Chrome Omnibox.
Simplicity. Designed "from the ground up for mobile devices," Chrome for Android provides tabbed browsing with intuitive gestures, automatic link zooming, and an incognito mode for private browsing
Sign-in. Chrome for Android lets you sign in to your Google account once and then sync open tabs and bookmarks with the desktop version of the browser, get smarter suggestions, and more.
I'm curious to try Chrome for Android on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which runs Android 4.0. I'll try that today.
Chrome is now available in Beta from Android Market, in select countries and languages.