RockMelt: Remarkable Buzz for an Unproven Product
With the flashy logo, the Web 2.0-style brand name, and the slick foundation of Google Chrome to back it up, it's no wonder the new browser on the block, RockMelt, is getting so much attention today.
After word of the social-centric browser leaked over the weekend, buzz began to build and with the release of the private beta today--I'm still waiting on my e-mail to download it, hence the "hands-off" review--it's managed to land a coveted spot among Twitter's trending topics. But early reviews seem mixed.
In some places, newcomers to the social media world seem ecstatic about the browser. Amazed at the fluid integration with Facebook and Twitter, they don't remember the dreadful experience that was (well, is) Flock. In other circles, those of that do remember the distracting and cumbersome interface of Flock are somewhat more reserved in our judgment of this new browser. Sure, it's got some potential, but I--and others--am very much in the let's-give-this-a-few-days-to-see-if-it-sucks camp.
I will, however, give credit to RockMelt--they've built a buzz that other browsers only dream of. How often have you seen Firefox or Google Chrome trend on Twitter? Oh right--never. Browsers are inherently not exciting products (despite their remarkably important and often underappreciated role in the world of Web technology). The fact that RockMelt seems to have generated at least some excitement around this new launch--in private beta, no less!--is impressive, to say the least.
As for me, I'm still hands-off. But as soon as I get my beta invite, rest assured I'll be jumping head first into the browser to see what all the buzz is about. And I suppose really, that's all that RockMelt can ask for at this point.
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