Google Buys Maxthon Web Browser

Maxthon is currently one of the most popular browsers on the Internet, being based on the Internet Explorer engine but offering almost the same functions as the Mozilla Firefox browser. Because it is somehow a bundle of the two programs, Maxthon attracts many users, its developers sustaining there are more than 81 million downloads. Although the official reasons were not confirmed, it seems like Google took the partial ownership over the browser for $1 million as TechCrunch reported. Both Maxthon developers and Google officials refused to comment on the rumor but there are numerous speculations over the Maxthon goal and the Google acquisition.

First of all, Maxthon is a China based application available for free to all users in every corner of the world. As I said before, Google had several attempts to expand their products into the Asian market but every time, the company was rejected by users and local rivals. As Maxthon is a powerful application in the area, Google aims to use the browser as the perfect way of promoting their products and services to the Chinese Internet users.

Then, another speculation concerning an implementation of the Google products is quickly spreading on the Internet. Although there is no official statement, we should expect a personalized version of Maxthon bundled with Google products such as Google Toolbar and other utilities able to provide instant access to the services developed by the search giant.

OK, now let me present you the most plausible rumor: Google will promote the browser as the preferred application, making it available for download from a separate page. In the past, Google had similar attempts with Internet Explorer and Firefox that will be now replaced by Maxthon, the recently acquired browser. The most interesting fact is Maxthon's default search engine, currently Yahoo or Baidu for the Chinese version, that will probably be replaced with Google's technology.

If you want to download the latest version of Maxthon web browser, you can take it from Softpedia using this link.