Could Google’s Chrome browser be coming to iOS devices? Business Insider are reporting just that.
The rumour comes from Macquarie analyst Ben Schacter who says that “Apple may already be reviewing Google’s submitted code for a Chrome browser for iOS.”
On the face of it this sounds like exciting stuff for iOS users, doesn’t it?
But dig a little deeper and you’ll soon see there are flaws to this rumoured move.
For example, Apple do not allow users to set third-party browsers as default. Anytime a link is opened, be it from a text or an e-mail, it will open in Safari. No ifs, no buts.
Opera and Dolphin – both popular browser choices on Android – are already available for iOS but command an insignificant share of mobile web user from iDevices.
Would Chrome fair better? It has a bigger brand name and following than the aforementioned duo so there’s no doubt it would be downloaded. But without system integration it’s unlikely that the bulk of iUsers will find themselves remembering to use it.
Chrome for iOS: good move in theory, but thanks to Apple it’ll be a poor one in practice.