There are many, many post out there already regarding Chrome. I have no intention of rehashing the debates of whether or not Chrome is good, bad, needed, or unneeded.Instead, I was to comment on what I see as the coming together of several stories in the media, and the reality of Google’s ambitions.As mentioned, there are many insights on why now for Chrome, etc. I think David Weiss has the right notion when he comments that Chrome is trying to [1] be the platform. The use of Webkit and the instant ability to support Webkit based application/capability, and the inclusion of native Gears support is certainly demonstration of leveraging Chrome as a platform. Moreover, this further entrenches the “Google owns both ends of the pipe” discussions that have been ongoing. But I see Google owning both ends as more than a reliable means for them to ensure their application (Cloud based or whatever buzzword you want to use) are delivered in a meaningful and correct way to their users [more specifically, having a significant browser in the market gives them a greater voice in standardisation].No - I think there’s another facet to this strategy of owning both ends. Specifically, this is another means for Google to collect “anonymous statistics” on their users, now not only when you’re at a Google site/application, but when you’re at any site/application using Chrome. Of course, collection of such data allows the Google analytics machine to better serve you up ads for all those items that you didn’t know you needed.And what makes me so certain that this is the case is, Google is doing what they reasonably can to make their data collection look as innocuous as possible to the powers that be. One needs only to reference the other recent Google-related media happenings around privacy.  Specifically, note the following (within the past two weeks):

• [2] Google to Microsoft: We’re Serious about Privacy
• [3] More Google backlash? 
• [4] Google to Anonymize Suggest Queries within 24 Hours
• [5] In Online Privacy Fight, Google Blinks
• [6] Google On the Run From the Privacy Cops

I know that you’re going to tell me that several of those reference the same recent Google announcement. That’s not my point. My point is, there has been a lot of pandering to data and information privacy rights by Google, and ensuring that it’s well and truly visible in the media. And I truly believe it is because they’re gearing themselves up for an even greater incoming tide of data.So, all being equal, I don’t see the debate as whether or not Chrome is needed in the market now, but rather how Google needs Chrome to provide new food sources to its ever growing analytics appetite.