David Filo: No browser for Yahoo
Google wants the world to use its shiny new browser, Chrome. But Yahoo's co-founder says his company would rather improve its existing products.
- Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Google just announced its Chrome Web browser, but Yahoo co-founder David Filo doesn't expect his company will follow suit.
"I don't think you're going to see a browser from us," Filo said in an interview Thursday at the company's headquarters here.
Rather, the company is focusing its attention on improving its current products, for example by opening up the Yahoo home page, the My Yahoo customized start page, Yahoo Mail, and search to others' applications, Filo said. Those are examples of what's enabled by the Yahoo Open Strategy, which the company will tout more aggressively during its second Open Hack Day 2008 on Friday and Saturday.
"We're getting to the point where everything we do is a completely open platform," he said.
Filo reflected the praise some people expressed for Chrome's performance running JavaScript--the programming language many Web applications use. But, he said, it's too soon to judge whether Google Chrome will change the game for Internet companies.
"They've been trying a lot of things, most of which won't go anywhere," Filo said. "This is another thing they're throwing against the wall."