October 6, 2008 by keith
With the recent release of Google Chrome web browser (still in beta stage), how many of you have realised that Google actually automatically updates your browser version, without you realising it?
Following the Google Chrome Dev Channel Chooser tool, made available by Google, I have actually updated to the developer's version of 0.2.152.1 (as you can see from the screen-shot below).
Over the past couple of weeks, I have never gave any permission or command to update my current version Google Chrome, but guess what? A new (latest) version of Google Chrome was indicated on the About tab, showing version 0.3.154.0! Since when did Google manage to update our browser without obtaining our permission?
Upon further investigation, I found something more interesting. Google has actually placed a file, "GoogleUpdate.exe" in the registry that loads upon Windows system boot-up. This is probably not so surprising as Google is renowned for collecting data from end-users' system.
However, what really amazed me is that Google actually updates the web browser so silently that you don't even feel that it is actually existing. If not for the task manager program, I would probably not be able to identify this file from the pool of resources.
that is why i dont use
Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Thu, 2008-10-09 13:22.
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that is why i dont use chrome
Without Google, Microsoft would take the very last $ from you.
Submitted by Compare Singapore home loan (not verified) on Fri, 2009-07-24 17:01.
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It is good to have some competition with microsoft. Updating a browser seamlessly to improve the user experience is not a bad thing.
Moreover Google is committed to open source, whereas Microsoft just wants to lock you in and raise prices.
I love using Chrome much much better than IE.
On the other hand, take a look at outlook, they force you into a lot of inconvenience by making it so hard to export the outlook files into open source.
Take a look at the microsoft OS kernel, they built more and more inefficient software wishing for intel ti build faster machines to overcome it. In other words, this is cheating the consumer.
Seriously?
Submitted by Passerby (not verified) on Wed, 2009-08-26 13:42.
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Seriously?? When did we become so overly wrapped in fear and suspicion? The browser "updated itself without my permission or command?" It's an update not a full posting of your medical history. Also, as far as Google applications in general go, IIRC I had to accept the sharing of my usage habits and such before they were ever sent. I just think the 'privacy issue' has gotten way out of hand - my 2c :)
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