Prism add-on for Firefox kicks Google Chrome out.

When Google launched Google Chrome, I did have a go with it and eventually uninstalled it mainly because I was frustrated the way Google Chrome installed itself on my machine.

Some weeks ago, I decided to give it a go again because I remembered one cool thing about Chrome, the application shortcut. That particular feature is a real adding value one. So I eventually used Chrome again not for my daily browsing activities but for gmail. I must admit it is very cool to launch my “gmail” application shortcut from the quick launch bar just like I would do for any application. Indeed experiencing gmail through Google Chrome with the application shortcut is great.

However as soon as I was using a link from an email, Google Chrome was used as the browser. It does the job; I didn’t come across browsing problem, but I discovered the web again: crowded and polluted with Ads. Damned, Adblock (or similar) is cruelly missing.

Recently I’ve been testing Google Wave (and still do). To make the Wave experience as full as possible I used a Google Chrome application shortcut. Indeed using Google Wave that way makes me feel I use a regular app on my machine. The experience is nice. But again, clicking on links launches Google Chrome as a browser and here comes the Ads.

I’ve been surprised that add-ons for Chrome haven’t exploded in numbers. The most wanted one, an adblock-like is not a reality yet. For sure, some solutions exist (scripts to install, Adsweep, Privoxy) but none of them are smooth to install and use for a typical user (those ones that are not IT savvy). For a second time, Google Chrome failed to become my preferred browser.

How can I get this great application shortcut approach then on my preferred browser, Firefox. This gets resolved with Prism Add-On for Firefox. This is nothing new (version 0.2 was out in March 2008) but its 1.0b2 is freshly installed on my machine.

I now have my Google Mail and Google Wave application shortcuts through Prism and Firefox.  Yabba badda boo!

I guess I don’t need Google Chrome anymore.

What is your view ? Do you still use Google Chrome ? Have you installed an Adblock-like add-on/program for Google Chrome? Did you returned from Google Chrome to Firefox ? Do you use Prism add-on for Firefox?