Browser wars are heading to iOS as Google is planning to launch Chrome browser for iPhone and iPad. U.S. based research firm Macquarie Equities Group reports that Google is working on iOS version of Chrome browser and the browser will debut latter this year, possibly by the end of second quarter of 2012.

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Recently, Google had launched Chrome for Android operating system. Released in February as public beta, the mobile version of Chrome is still in beta state, but Google can lift the "beta" moniker anytime soon. However, Chrome Browser is only compatible with Android devices running the latest Android OS 4.0, dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich. As a result, the browser is not as popular as third-party browsers like Dolphin Browser HD or Opera Web Browser on Android platform.

Turning to Apple, third-party browser for iOS first appeared on App Store in 2009. But, Apple started rejecting browsers from App store that can compete with the in-built Safari browser. Microsoft, on the other hand, is also preventing rival Web browser from running at full capacity on Windows RT, which is ARM-based version of upcoming Windows 8. The biggest question of the moment is, "Will Apple let Google do this?"

Before the app could arrive in Apple-controlled iOS App Store, it has to pass through Apple's arrival process. And Apple is not much kind to its chief rival. In case of Google+ app, Apple approved it after two weeks of submission from Google. So we can say "yes" for Chrome browser to appear on App store, if Google develops the Chrome browser for iOS, but the process will not be easy. Both Chrome and Safari use the Webkit layout engine, which makes the move to iOS easier for Google.

Google is likely to release Chrome browser for iPhone and iPad by the end of 2012, if not earlier, according to the research group. Google would back it with a lot of advertising.

Meanwhile, a question - if Google Chrome gets released on iOS, would you like to ditch Safari for it?

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