What are the steps Google have taken to set their browser apart from the competitors when it comes to interface?
1. The Dashboard view
This is something that Opera was doing well way back when, and was something that set it apart as a browser. It is a piece of innovation that is only available in other browsers (Firefox) as a plugin.
2. The clean window
Unlike most of the other browsers, Google have decided to keep everything below the top toolbar dedicated to content. There is no footer bar, and it actually subtly improves the overall browsing experience.
3. The clean menu bar
Everything about the standard browser is minimal and the menu bar is the jewel in the crown. Everything has been stripped back to the core essentials required for maximum functionality.
4. Iconography
This is once again very subtle, but there is actually only one persistent word in the whole window (not counting any content, search terms, or urls). That is the word “Google”. Even then it is a word mark or brand that we are all highly familiar with. Everything else is represented by iconography. Elegant, clean and simple.
5. Drawing on well known elements
Google have worked smarter rather than harder, and innovated where appropriate, but probably more importantly – they have gone with convention also. The tools and settings of Chrome are located in exactly the same place as IE7 (the top right corner, under the close button) which is currently shipping as standard with Windows Vista. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, they have reduced the learning curve of the large population who already use Internet Explorer.
6. Search
If the clean menu bar is the jewel in the crown, then the search functionality is the inset blue diamond in that jewel. Google have built their empire on search, so it is appropriate that the search functionality is the all singing all dancing part of the browser. By doubling up the URL and search box together they have authored functionality that I’ve often wished for. They have also given the text a beautiful hierarchy within the box that distinguishes search, and humanizes URLs by separating out the key part of the URL and the persistent “lingo” (http://, php, etc.)
Summary
In summary from an interface and GUI perspective Google Chrome is a beautifully simple yet functionally elegant browser. It is easy to overlook the fact that to reach this balance of simplicity and functionality, it is most likely that many hours of user testing and research went into this product. 5 stars.
I'm an Information Architect working in Wellington New Zealand who deals a lot with web standards, conventions and best practice every day. This is the place where I place findings, musings and facts as a repository for myself and anyone else who might benefit. 
