Google set tongues a-wagging when they released their free open source browser, Chrome, at the start of the month. There was even more talking round the water cooler about them a few days later when people noticed that the user agreement was a bit fishy. Still in its beta infancy, a few bugs have been found with the browser but the speed at which it operates has impressed many. However, users have become so frustrated with Google's policy for collecting data from users that some efficient developers have created a cut down version of the browser that doesn't give any information about your browsing to Google HQ.
The German software company SRWare are behind the endeavour which they've named Iron. As well as not collecting your data for Google to devour, there is no Google updater (in case they tried to sneak their data mining code back in) and no alternative error message when you type in a web address wrongly.
Being a foreign company, SRWare's site is all in German as is the installation guide for the browser; however, once installed the default language can be changed for a more Anglicised look.
After an impressive first couple of days, where the browser managed to get a 1% share of the market in no time at all, users have started to drift away from Chrome as they wait for a more defined version to come out. Figures show that last week usage had dropped to 0.85% and then further this week to 0.77%. Safari appeared to take most of these nomad surfers in with a 0.45% rise.
Well, Google, it looks like not everybody's as impressed with Chrome as you hoped - which isn't great, considering how some folks didn't find the unveiling of Android too impressive. However, we here at bigmouthmedia are sure the Mountain View giants will bounce back on top as usual - just as long as they don't try to claim ownership of everybody's data this time.
