Google recently released its new web browser, named Chrome, which aims to deliver a more seamless internet, and more importantly, search experience that will cause internet surfers to search more often, which of course, means more income for Google.  Of course, that’s Google’s bottom line, but let’s look at some of the actual benefits of Chrome.

In an attempt to simplify the browsing experience, Google has combined searching and entering a web address.  The same text box is used for both, and users can be directed to suggested searches from their selected search engine…of course, Google hopes to be chosen by each user.  Chrome users can view thumbnails of their most visited sites, which is a feature usually enjoyed by users browsing on Opera.  Chrome users can even create shortcuts to place on their desktop, that will link to their favorite web applications.

Additional features to increase intuitive usability include customizable, or dynamic, tabs, crash control (prevents all tabs closing if just one crashes), browsing and search privacy options, warnings against unsafe websites, instant bookmarking, simple downloads and an easy to use tool that will import your bookmarks and passwords so that you don’t have to wait very long to start using Chrome.

So why does Chrome matter?  In the broad sense, it makes searching a more fluid process, which will work to Google’s design, which is to have more people searching more of the time.  Competition to arrive under the eyes of searchers will only increase, and so internet marketing will continue to become increasingly important for online success.  Your website needs to be well designed and attractive, and continuously adapt to shifts in the market that could mean changes in what your prospects are looking for. 

Search engine marketing and optimization must be expertly applied so that your business can enjoy the success that comes from being easily found by the prospects that are most likely to purchase your products or services.  As internet browsing continues to advance, as we continue to master the internet and transform it from a useful tool to an intuitive experience, businesses need to keep up, if they are to avoid falling into the wake of those companies whose websites properly adapt.

One of the most popular ideals of Cuil, a recently released (and unfortunately failed) search engine was that it provided a comprehensive related search that went a little beyond already related searches found on other search engines by including content value.  While Google Suggest might not go that far, it is doing its part to make searches more convenient and efficient, while providing the functioning element of Google in that it returns search results that are relavent to the terms entered.

How does Google Suggest work?  Consider the following example.  If I enter the word “apple” into Google, Google Suggest will seek to narrow my search by determining whether I’m searching for apple juice, apple cider, apple pie or something else apple-related.  From there it presents results and shows the connection between those results and the entered search terms. 

What does this mean for your business?  Google Suggest means that searchers will be able to search to a finer degree, with more detail, so that if they’re searching for products or services offered by your company, they’re more likely to find your company.  If you sell apple cider, prospects searching for apple cider will be led to your website.  Searchers looking for apple pie or apple juice can still see your website in the results, but the search will direct your prospects to you without them having to sort through many possibly unrelated search results.

Today’s news featured a story about Intel releasing developments toward making shap-shifting, programmable matter.  They’ve already found some success, and expect improvements and advancements to continue to the point where, per the example given in the article on ZDNet, cell phones could take the shape of thumb drives or wrist watches when in standby mode to make them most convenient to stow, or perhaps even fashionable to wear.

Alright, so it’s doubtful that we’ll go so far as to turning our cellphones into living creatures (though wouldn’t it be a fun and easy way to have a pet?  Just kidding!), so it’s unlikely that any hats will become rabbits, but as the article points out, is this really any different from magic?

What would change, for the internet, and for internet marketing if and when this technology, or magic, becomes available to the average consumer?  Most noticeably, if we thought we were all available now, this would put our availability to shame.  Imagine taking a call from your sunglasses, or checking your email from your bracelet.

The development of this programmable matter is right up there with the metamaterials used in the first successful cloaking device developed about a week and a half ago.  We may not be able to take a bit of a branch, and, waving it about like Harry Potter and his friends, produce magic…but who needs a wand when you can program matter?

That an advancement such as the Widget Channel should be made just one day after we’ve explored new possibilities of mastering the internet is a significant coincidence.  Triangle Business Journal reported this morning that Intel and Yahoo have announced plans to develop the Widget Channel which will integrate with television.

A far jump away from WebTV, which simply turned a TV into a monitor, the Widget Channel will supposedly grant users an interactive television experience.  This integration would be more than a step toward added convenience.  By allowing users to watch videos, gather current news and communicate with others, the Widget Channel could mean an explosion of opportunity.

Not everyone goes onto the internet several times throughout the day.  The Widget Channel, which will cooperate with multiple technologies (including HTML of course), will allow businesses to reach more prospects.

The Widget Channel will forever change the world of advertising and marketing.  Who is going to watch commercials when they could check their email from their TV?  Email marketing campaigns and online video advertisement will take over commericals; they’re often less expensive to create and run.

What if the Widget Channel doesn’t work?  As we discussed yesterday, new innovations inherently have the ability to fail.  Should the Widget Channel realize that possibility, it is highly doubtful that the attempt would be for naught.  Other new ideas would be able to build upon the developed technology.

The internet is not the only element left to be mastered; clearly television shares that requirement.  By integrating them both, internet and TV will improve for both businesses and consumers.