Bangkok--4 Aug--PC & Associates
The fastest version of Google Chrome to date launches with customizable Thai features and innovative local distribution channels
Google today introduced the latest and fastest version of its web browser, Google Chrome, to Thai users, together with a suite of local features that make the browsing experience more personalized and powerful. Available in both English and Thai on all major operating systems, Google Chrome offers a fast, simple and secure way for Thai users to experience the web. It can be downloaded in one easy click at www.google.co.th/chrome.
In the early days of the Internet, web pages were frequently little more than English text. But today the web has evolved into a powerful multilingual and global platform that enables users to collaborate with friends and colleagues through social networking sites, email and other web applications, edit documents, watch videos, listen to music, manage finances and much more. Google Chrome was built for today’s web and for the applications of tomorrow.
“Google Chrome lets users quickly, easily and securely interact with the web sites and applications they care about, and it’s important that we, together with our local partners, bring that experience to the 18 million Internet users in Thailand,” said Andrew McGlinchey, Head of Product Management, Google Southeast Asia. “As more and more Thais spend more time online, they need a browser that is extremely fast and powerful but does not get in their way. Just like the classic Google homepage, Google Chrome has a simple user interface with a sophisticated core to enable a speedy browsing experience.”
A faster, better web experience for Thai users
Every aspect of Google Chrome is optimized for speed, in order to get users where they want as quickly as possible. Google built a new JavaScript engine, V8, for Google Chrome, which not only speeds up today’s web sites, but enables a whole new class of web sites and applications that couldn't exist on today’s browsers. As a result of constant improvement to V8, the current version of Chrome is more than 200% faster than the first beta released a year and a half ago.
Google Chrome also has intuitive features that keep the user’s focus on web content, and not on the browser. For instance, users shouldn’t have to differentiate between typing a web address, such as www.google.co.th/chrome, and a search query such as “what is a fast new way to browse the web?” Google Chrome combines the search and address bar into one at the top of the browser called the “omnibox,” which quickly takes users where they want to go, often in just a few keystrokes. The browser can also automatically detect when an Thai language user visits a site in a different language and translate the entire website into Thai in less than a second. The current version of Google Chrome can even synchronize users’ bookmarks and browser preferences in the cloud so that users can access their personalized browser settings and sites from any computer, anywhere.
At the core of Google Chrome is stability and security. Each browser tab operates as a separate process; by isolating tabs, should one tab crash or misbehave, others remain stable and responsive, and users can continue working without having to restart Google Chrome. It also comes with SafeBrowsing, a feature that automatically detects malware and phishing attempts and alerts users if they are about to visit a site that may harm their computer. Finally, with Google Chrome, users don’t have to worry about upgrading to the latest and most secure version because Google Chrome updates automatically in the background. Users can be sure that they are always running the most up to date version of the browser.
Google Chrome -- a true Thai experience
As part of its effort to make the web as relevant and useful to people as possible, Google Chrome today also debuted new local features that were specifically created for Thai users: eight browser extensions and eight Chrome artist themes.
Extensions are small programs that can add informative, fun or useful functionality to the browser, thus making the browsing experience more personalized. Thai users can now access the latest news from Sanook, search for products to buy on Tarad, look up movie showtimes on MovieSeer, check their actual Internet connection speed using a tool called SpeedTest, do currency conversions and access financial articles through Kbank, get instant updates about True Online promotions, search for local attractions on EDTGuide and look up word meanings and translations on Long Do Dictionary, all with a click of a button on the Google Chrome browser, and without having to leave the page they are currently on.
Mr. Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, First Senior Vice President, KASIKORNBANK, said “As an innovator in electronic financial services in Thailand, KBank is pleased to be the first local financial institute to develop a Google Chrome extension, which brings together real-time currency exchange and interest rates, credit card privileges and K-We-PLan financial management tools in one easily accessible place. We also have plans to add even more articles from the K-Beautiful Life website that address financial matters in specific areas such as education, travel, and health. We believe that KBank customers will find this useful as they look to learn more about KBank’s services.”
Extensions are easy to install and automatically update themselves once downloaded. Using the Google Chrome browser, simply navigate to the Google Chrome extensions gallery at www.google.com/chrome/extensions and select from dozens of extensions according to category.
Users can also express their personal style on Google Chrome by installing artist themes created by top designers, musicians, celebrities and institutions in Thailand. These include themes by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, artists Chalermchai Kosipipat, ML Jirathorn Jiraprawat and Tik Shiro, cartoonist Be Boyd (Boyd Kosiyapong), the winners of this year’s Doodle 4 Google contest, Thai tattoo master Noo Kunpai and a special treat from the Elephant Friend Foundation. Ranging from the indigenous to the whimsical and modern, these themes add a touch of inspiration and delight to the web browsing experience.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Director, Marketing Information Technology Group Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said “We see a large opportunity to use Google Chrome’s technology platform to promote Thailand tourism to audiences inside and outside the country. TAT’s themes are photographs of Thailand’s most beautiful tourist spots as well as ones that portray our traditional culture and heritage. We think that the Chrome themes, as something you see on your browser everyday, is a great way to get the message out about the beauty of Thailand and will hopefully encourage more people to come visit our country.”
Users can easily select one of the Thai themes or install dozens of others submitted by artists from around the world at www.google.co.th/chrome/artists.
Thai partners introduce unique distribution channels for Google Chrome
To help more Thai users access the Web through Google Chrome, Google has partnered with local telecommunications company True Corporation PLC and computer distributor SIS Distribution (Thailand) PLC to integrate Google Chrome into its products and services.
True, the largest Internet service provider in Thailand, will be making Google Chrome the default browser on hundreds of desktops in its Internet cafes nationwide. Users in these cafes will be able to access the Web through Google Chrome in a fast, simple and secure manner by double-clicking on the Chrome icon on the computer’s desktop. True will also be introducing Google Chrome to its new broadband customers on several online welcome pages (googlechrome.trueonline.com, www.trueonline.com, www.truewifi.net and www.trueinternet.co.th), as well as holding special Chrome activities for its currently existing customers.
Mr. Non Ingkutanon, General Manager for Wire-line Broadband Services Business of True Corporation Public Company Limited said “The collaboration between TrueOnline and Google is an integration of our business strengths--Google being the leader in online search and TrueOnline being the leading hi-speed Internet service provider. Our partnership will enable TrueOnline’s customers to download the Google Chrome web browser in several ways, as well as let them use it in our Internet cafes nationwide. We are also holding fun activities that customers can participate in to win Chrome and TrueOnline prizes during the two months following this launch. In addition, customers can get the latest updates on promotions from TrueOnline by simply installing the TrueOnline extension on the Google Chrome browser. We are confident that our customers will enjoy the benefits from the combined efforts of TrueOnline and Google.”
More than 3,000 local SIS computer retail stores will also be installing Google Chrome on all its desktops and laptops. Users who purchase a computer from SIS retail stores will be promptly be able to use Google Chrome to access the Web in one easy click of the mouse.
“SiS is delighted to partner with Google to promote Google Chrome through our strong channel network around the country, which consists of resellers, system integrators, software companies, value added resellers and OEM networks--a total of over 3,000 companies, said Mr. Somchai Sittichaisrichart, Managing Director, SiS Distribution (Thailand) Public Company Limited. “Google Chrome is an easy to use and very fast web browser that is installed in a matter of seconds. It enables users to surf the Internet and use web applications smoothly. We believe that Google Chrome will benefit Thai users immensely”.
“Google is excited to be working with True and SIS on these innovative distribution models that put the Google Chrome web browser within easy reach of Thai users,” said Pornthip Kongchun. “By making Chrome the default browser in True’s Internet cafes and installing them on the computers SIS sells, users can now get one-click access to the latest and fastest version of Google Chrome, which combines speed and power with the ease-of-use and simplicity users have come to expect from Google.”
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.co.th.
Google and Google Chrome are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.
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