Google has fired a broadside across Apple's bow by announcing the Google Chrome Web Store, a great idea which, to my mind, has a mediocre name - one consistent with Google's ongoing struggles with branding in general. If I'm a typical consumer, I might be a bit confused by a name that 1. has 'chrome' in it 2. has the word 'store' but sells only apps and 3. has the word web in it - does that mean I can buy things on the web through it? Given Google's lackluster performance with Checkout and its recent closure of its Nexus One store, I'm guessing the store might get a brand makeover before it launches later this year.
Nevertheless, I'm guessing Google called it a 'Web' store to highlight the difference between the web as a platform for applications, compared to the term
'App,' which is almost universally intertwingled with Apple's brand.
But the concept is quite clever - Google is reminding us all that 'apps' can and should run on the open web, and not just in closed, vertically integrated and controlled environments like the iPhone/Pad/Touch.
I for one hope that this new app store will flourish. Game on.
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