Did you hear about Google's new web-browser? I heard about it on September 2nd, the day it was released to the public. After reading Google's 38-page comic regarding the interface and thought behind it, I camped Firefox's ReloadEvery at a URL that had been prematurely released earlier for a good half of the day. Sounds a bit crazy -- and I probably am -- but I believe the experience was worth it.

One neat feature is the Incognito Window, typically used for sessions you don't want stored on the computer (like buying a surprise gift). As they say, "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"...

The default home page is another fun feature. I don't use it, but it currently spawns in every new tab I open. It has a "speed dial" like Opera, and it shows the websites you go to most often, things you've recently bookmarked, tabs you've closed, and there's even a browsing history search. It's a very personalized experience, which is a nice thing.

You can also create shortcuts to applications on your start menu, desktop or quick launch bar. This is a glorified bookmarking feature -- it's intended for things like Google services (Gmail, Reader, Calendar), though it's possible to have a direct link to Artspots spawn in a new window when you click the shortcut on your desktop.

Tabs are located at the absolute top of the browser window. Each tab has its own process, so if one gums up the works you can just get rid of it and the rest of the browser is untouched. (Flash included!)

You can also do a search to the engine of your choice by just typing the phrase into the address bar.

I had to outsource to other Google applications to get my "cool features". I've got Google Reader handling my LJ friend list (which is not all that bad, if a pain to find a workaround for flocked journals). Rather than leaving a tab open, Google Desktop (which may or may not be affecting Chrome's performance) takes care of my Gmail notification. I still don't have a replacement for FireFTP, and I miss ReloadEvery. And nothing makes long comment strings seamlessly readable like LJAddons.

Despite this, Chrome is now my primary browser. I seriously hope they will add browser-specific plugins so I don't have to do so many workarounds to get what I have come to rely on.

Unfortunately, right now it's only available for XP/Vista, but Mac and Linux are reportedly on the way.

Those of you who have tried it, what are your impressions? Those who would *like* to try it, you can learn more and try it out at http://www.google.com/chrome