Google’s shiny new browser is almost here: Google Chrome based on WebKit.

Featuring a sandbox model for tabs (tough I hope that sandbox will not be a complete process – as some speculate) and a “V8″ javascript engine – according to Joshua “code is instantly interpreted into machine code”. Damn, where did he knew that ? Really.

Surely will feature gears and other google mumbo-jumbo (some say it will even have a privacy feature ala IE8 aka the “porn mode”). I imagine it will be neat and fast but very unpolished – as the other google products launched in the “launch early and iterate” spirit. Speaking of, meh, app engine it’s still just a Toy.

I still put my money on the Shiretoko. (I hope I’m wrong tough)