Is Google Really Letting Go of Chromium?
1,110This week, it seemed that Google started handing over the reigns of Chromium to The Linux Foundation and the future of the web seems a little brighter today. Or does it?
While I often talk about Linux gaming on this channel, another of my biggest passions is the web. I am a web developer by trade writing backend and frontend code in equal measure. And as much as I geek out over operating systems, I am just as much of a nerd about browsers. Firefox, Brave… I love ‘em.
Like I said, Chromium is what Google Chrome is based on. And Chrome accounts for some 70% of all browser market share in the world.
But Chromium isn’t just the upstream project of Google Chrome. It’s the basis for Microsoft Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera and pretty much every other browser you’ve ever heard of besides Firefox.
What’s even more crazy, though? Chromium is the basis of Discord, Slack, Spotify, VS Code, and other Electron-based applications. And even more relevant to this channel: Valve ships a version of Chromium to power many aspects of the Steam UI including the built-in browser, friends and chats, the desktop library, and even Big Picture Mode itself.
Suffice it to say that Chromium dominates not just the browser market, but much of the desktop and moible app market, too.
Links & Resources
❯ Official Press Release: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/press/linux-foundation-announces-the-launch-of-supporters-of-chromium-based-browsers
❯ https://blog.chromium.org/2025/01/announcing-supporters-of-chromium-based.html
❯ https://apnews.com/article/google-search-antitrust-case-59114d8bf1dc4c8453c08acaa4051f14
❯ https://www.newsweek.com/google-could-forced-sell-chrome-search-monopoly-claims-1989324
My Game
❯ Dudelings on Humble: https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: https://heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
Affiliate links
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43
❯ Proton Pass: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38
❯ Proton VPN: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26
❯ Proton Mail: https://go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: https://amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: https://amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: https://amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: https://amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller https://amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: https://amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: https://amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: https://amzn.to/4fAha2h
Elsewhere on the Web
❯ My podcast: https://podcast.subscribeto.me/
❯ Merchandise: https://shop.heavyelement.io/
❯ Email Newsletter: https://heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ Peertube: https://subscribeto.me/
❯ Heavy Element: https://heavyelement.com/
❯ Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@gardiner_bryant
Support the Show
❯ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/gardiner_bryant
❯ Patreon: https://patreon.com/thelinuxgamer/
❯ Merch: https://gardinerbryant.com/
❯ Humble: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/?partner=thelinuxgamer
❯
❯ Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/3iYb4gd
-- Chapters --
00:00 Introduction
00:29 The Scope of the Issue
02:56 The Linux Foundation
04:35 What is Chromium
04:59 Who's involved
05:37 What will Supporters of Chromium-based Browsers actually do
06:14 My skepticism
08:52 Conclusion
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
https://heavyelement.com/