Google plans to launch its own internet browser, opening up a new challenge in cyberspace to Microsoft and its dominant Internet Explorer.
The web search leader said the new browser, called Google Chrome, would 'add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web'.
The application can be downloaded for free in more than 100 countries and its code will be open source so no rights will have to be paid by anyone using or adapting the software.
Chrome is Google's latest weapon in its bid to become the leader in all internet areas. The latest major browser war was won by Microsoft when it won the battle for dominance in the 1990s against Netscape Navigator.
The move comes amid growth in browser market share by Firefox, a project of the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, which ironically receives a large portion of its funding from Google.
According to estimates by the research firm Net Applications, Internet Explorer is used by 74% of computer users worldwide compared with 18% for Firefox.
News of the browser leaked out on Monday when Google released a comic book describing the advantages of Chrome.
