Sony Viaos to Ship with Google Chrome

by Truemorist | September 1, 2009 at 08:53 am

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Sony Viaos will ship with Google Chrome, which is a slap in the face to Bill Gates. The reason Internet Explorer is so popular is that it's free with the computer: most people don't know enough about that sort of thing to switch browsers. That's why people still use IE6 (don't even get me started). Microsoft has taken advantage of user laziness for a generation, but now Google is horning in on Redmond's racket. If this doesn't light a fire under Microsoft's ass to develop better software, then I don't know what will.

Microsoft has insisted throughout that the choice of browser would be down to the OEMs, although rival browser makers have suggested that many of the manufacturers would not risk their relationship with the Redmond giant.

Well, Google is getting in on the operating-system game, so there's a new player in town (Apple doesn't count, since it won't let other OEMs into its sandbox). Suddenly that Microsoft relationship is less valuable. Also, Google has waaaaay more money than Mozilla, so it can take the payola route towards getting its browser front and center, whereas Firefox depends on word of mouth, fanboy tech articles, and a cute logo.

Now, if only there's a way to keep those Viaos from rattling themselves to pieces like Ford Pintos...