Google Chrome to ship with Sony PC's

As you may have read earlier today, Google has reached an agreement with the Sony Corporation that will see its Chrome web browser software installed as standard on all the PC's that the company sells.

So what does it mean to the future of Chrome and is this another reason (hot on the heels of the Chrome OS news a short while ago) for Microsoft to panic?

Well, the detail behind the deal is being kept secret. In fact we don't even know, and nor does anyone else, whether this move will actually see Chrome installed on every PC that Sony makes. They're not confirming it and nor are Google. Odd.

It is a trial. All Google are doing is examining the channels they might use in order to launch the full scale assault on the market that they'll eventually do. The deal actually started earlier in 2009 (in the summer) and if you've bought a Vaio or other Sony PC recently then there is a good chance it'll come with Chrome as standard.

In terms of volume there is no doubt it'll spread the Chrome word a little further, but the fact that Sony isn't amongst the Top 5 PC manufacturers (in volume) is evidence enough that this won't be the ground-breaking news that some Microsoft-haters might seek.

The news that Google are seeking to tie up deals with other manufacturers is the most interesting. If they can conclude a deal with Sony then there is no reason for them not to have success with the big boys - the likes of Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer etc.

So, hold your breath for a while longer. It is yet another step forward for Chrome but when you consider the fact that the Top 5 vendors (see right) account for almost 50% of the total market for PC's, it isn't a deal that is going to send Chrome into the stratosphere.