Google Chrome browser for iOS will reportedly be released in a few weeks

[garyopa]

iPhone and iPad to receive the App



According to several sources, Google may be planning to deploy a mobile version of Chrome on iOS devices.

After releasing Google Chrome for Android months ago (only for ICS), Google may be planning to release it also on iOS, meaning that iPhone, iPad and even iPod Touches would benefit from the same features as the Android version.

The reports comes from Macquarie (USA) Equities Research's analyst:

The Browser Wars Part Deux; Google Chrome Browser for iOS is Coming

Event

With a Google browser for iOS coming, we examine its potential impact on GOOG and historical parallels to the last browser war.

Impact

The Bottom Line – If, as we assume, GOOG successfully introduces its Chrome browser for iOS devices, it could significantly benefit Google’s strategic and operational mobile positioning. Six key points:

1) GOOG to launch its Chrome browser for iOS devices – the timing is unclear, but it could be as soon as Q2 and is very likely to be a 2012 event.

2) Could help limit TAC paid to Apple – if GOOG gains market share, it could reduce our estimate for Google.com TAC meaningfully.

3) Replay of Browser Wars; This Time Its Mobile – there are many parallels to the Browser Wars of the late 1990s.

4) Chrome browser for PCs has been a home run – helping to reduce desktop TAC significantly.

5) Expect a significant marketing campaign – GOOG’s advertising and promotional budget grew 118% and 100% y/y in 2010 and 2011 to $772mm and $1,544mm, respectively, in support of the desktop; expect a similar playbook for mobile.

6) Early reviews of Chrome Browser for Android are positive – Google has been able to differentiate as they did with Chrome for desktop.

Outlook

Affirm Outperform rating on GOOG.

Analyst(s)
Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc.
Ben Schachter

So, if this is true, expect an official announcement soon.

NEWS SOURCE: http://macq.wir.jp/e.ut?e=9M1LL2X1ggpzj5np02DjzcclPs12

Our thanks to 'Kaos2K' for this news story!

[msanchez]

Now I'm not a flash freak, but I must say that it is annoying every now and then when a page doesn't load correctly in Chrome for android because it contains flash. That said, it's much better than all of the stock android browsers for the different OEMs. I'm prolly going to give Firefox on android another try now, but anywho, smart business on google's side me thinks.

Both MS and Google seem to understand that they shouldn't limit the availability of their software to other platforms, there's various examples of MS and Google software that has Mac versions, the same can't be said for Mac software. That I know of the only 2 are iTunes and Safari.