Google signs Chrome browser deal with Sony

Internet search giant Google today stepped up the browser war by inking a deal with Japanese electronics giant Sony to include its Chrome web browser in Sony personal computers.

The deal, the first such signed by Google with a PC maker since Chrome was launched on 2 September 2008, is a valiant attempt to take on market leaders Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla Foundation's Firefox browsers.

Google said that the deal will come into effect this summer, but both companies have not disclosed the financial part of the deal.

But since its launch, Google's Chrome browser has not made the type of impact that the Mountain View, California-based company might have envisaged. Microsoft's Internet Explorer commands a massive 67-per cent market share, and Firefox 23 per cent, with and Chrome having less than 3 per cent, says web firm Net Applications.

Google said it would go ahead and sign similar browser tie up deals with other hardware vendors over the coming months and is exploring ways to make Chrome accessible to a wider group of users.

"Users' response to Google Chrome has been outstanding, and we're continuing to explore ways to make Chrome accessible to even more people," Google said in a statement.