Sony shipping PCs with Google's Chrome web browser already installed

That's a bold move for Sony, and one that Google probably paid dearly for. It's hugely significant because the default browser on new PCs tends to be how customers get on and use the web. A big part of Microsoft's billion-dollar settlement with the U.S. government almost a decade ago was that it would not so heavily integrate its own Internet Explorer into the Windows operating system, potentially blocking out competitive browsers.

Since computer users spend so much time online, the web browser is one of the most important pieces of software on every PC. With Google finding its own software ready to go on Sony systems now, the question is this: how many other PC manufacturers will Google partner with to pre-install its Chrome web browser?

Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser will always be available, of course. But that doesn't mean anyone will use it if Chrome is the default browser and customers like the product. Chrome is ultra fast and pretty slick, so Google may find a whole new legion of fans among Sony purchasers. Sony customers in the U.S. and Europe will see Chrome show up on their new PCs sometime this fall. Will this be the first of many Google partnerships with PC makers? Count on it.