Can't we all just get some Chrome?

That thunderclap you heard earlier today was the sound of Google releasing the beta of it's new internet browser, dubbed Chrome. To say it caused a stir in the tech community, would be a complete understatement. Of course in this day and age if the 800lb web gorilla decided to put out the 'Google Sandwich', you'd probably see it on the next cover of 'Wired'.

So although Google has several properties that may lack a certain polish, and may have been in beta since, well, the Clinton Administration, when Google has a shinny new toy to show off, we come a' running.

Here's the roundup of what I've seen so far:

Check out CNET's Full coverage, with I think, some 10 stories.

Ars has 1 story, so far. Worth 10 of CNET's if you ask me.

Daring Fireball had 3, and there isn't even a Mac version yet.

Techdirt speculates the target of Chrome is Windows, not Internet Explorer. Ina Fried thinks so as well in her column at CNET.

It got the folks at MacWorld talking. Once again, Windows beta only.

On the live taping of MacBreak Weekly's podcast, Merlin Mann and Andy Ihnatko kind of got in a heated discussion. Check it out in episode 104.

Paul Thurrott over at Windows Supersite is doing a preview.

Here's a 2-parter from Extremetech.

NY Times, PC World, you get the idea.

It's a big deal apparently.

We'll split this into two parts and weight in some Chrome for ourselves tomorrow.

Until then, you and I both have some reading to do!