Google – the world’s favourite search engine, has decided to step up and compete in the browser market.

Competing with, more obviously, Internet Explorer, but also the likes of Firefox, Opera & Safari, Google’s Open Source “Chrome” browser (to be launched today in Beta) seems like a bold, but very logical step.

It makes perfect sense to me that Google should bring out a browser. Not only can you (hopefully) have all of your online apps in one, integrated place (I for one use lots of Google’s online products) but it means the perfect place for them to target their ads to it’s users as well. The only other integrated browser is Flock. Flock, based on Mozilla code, integrates into the social networks very well. However, as there is a huge list of online apps available from Google it would be nice to have some of that functionality at your fingertips. Maybe combined with Flock-like social networking tools, it could be the next killer browser?

Of course, all of these features are a great idea, and to be honest, would greatly improve anyone’s online experience. However, what really matters is the rendering engine, and also how closely Google’s new browser will follow the web standards. Hopefully these points will not be lost when Google release to the waiting public.

For up to date news on the release of the browser, keep posted!