As a dedicated web geek, I have been a huge fan of the Google Chrome browser since the earliest beta release, and I consider it the only browser for surfing, while all the others are just there for testing new websites for things like stylesheets.

If you use Google Chrome, perhaps you have recently noticed something different when you opened a new tab. If you use the default settings for opening a new tab, you will be greeted with Google Chrome Web Store and a couple of suggested apps. Although it is not new (about a year old), the presentation of Google Chrome Web Store in the default new tab is new to Google Chrome 9.

I recall hearing many complaints about the lack of applications for Google Chrome when it first launched. A lot has changed since that time, and today there are roughly a squillion add-ons to make the browsing experience more “Firefox-like”. The updates in the newly released version 9 show that Google is really at the top of their game.

Here is a screenshot of how Google Chrome Web Store was presented to me, just a moment ago (click for larger view).

Since I normally have nice big thumbnail images with links to my most used websites, this really reached out and grabbed my attention. I suspect that I am not the only one, and this could create a huge surge for developers.

Will Google Chrome Web Store Be a Hit?

Google Chrome usage is constantly on the rise, and many of the available add-ons for the browser are quite helpful. If I was trying to promote a web application, I would certainly not overlook the Google Chrome Web Store for another minute!

If you are a developer, or you have an application to launch, this may be the best link you will find all day: Google Apps Developer Program: Getting Started

What do you think?