Google scores Chrome bundling deal with Sony
Google has taken arguably its biggest step yet in promoting the Chrome browser. It’s reached a deal to have Chrome ready installed on some Sony laptops.
It’s the first such agreement Google has reached with a manufacturer. Details of the deal are being kept relatively quiet: it’s not been confirmed when Chrome will be the sole browser on the laptops and, if so, whether it will be the default option.
Some Sony laptops have already had Chrome pre-installed during a test period over the past six months which has clearly proved successful.
The Sony deal isn’t necessarily all that big in terms of numbers as the company isn’t in the top five of laptop manufacturers. However, it’s a very recognizable brand name and certainly gives the browser added credibility. Google says it is looking at doing similar bundling deals with other manufacturers.
The browser may get another boost later this year if and when Microsoft goes ahead with plans to offer a choice of browsers to people installing Windows. That’s a proposed solution to an ongoing dispute between Microsoft and the European Union over its own bundling deals for Internet Explorer.
As well as potentially boosting use of the Chrome browser, the Sony deal helps Google build a relationship with the hardware industry. That will be vital if it really does expect to make a go of its planned Chrome operating system.
While it’s theoretically possible that users of Windows PCs will ditch the Microsoft system, install Chrome in its place and go after the retailer for a Windows refund, that’s not going to happen enough to be a business model.
Instead Google is going to have to persuade manufacturers to offer Chrome-based computers. The obvious selling point there is that you get the price advantages of a free operating system without the “Linux is complicated” stigma of most such low-cost machines.
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September 2nd, 2009
Awesome!
Hah, the first thing I did when I got my new Sony VAIO laptop was install google chrome. It wasnt already on there thou. I just wish Chrome can support my bank card in the future, so I can get rid of IE completely.
September 5th, 2009
If the European Union directive on Microsoft and Internet Explorer is to be completely fair, it must enforce Sony to offer a choice of broswers on its computers, rather than preloading one browser only.
After all, this is exactly the same argument t has mounted against Microsoft with Windows…