Google Chrome gets boost with Sony tie-up

Sony said Tuesday that its Vaio-brand computers sold in the United States would have Google's Chrome as their default Internet browser, boosting the search engine giant's fight against rival Microsoft.

Sony said the decision was based on Chrome's "quality and functions."

Google launched Chrome in September but it has failed to enjoy the spectacular success of its search engine.

Chrome was the fourth-ranking Web browser with a market share of 1.2 percent in February, according to research firm Net Applications.

Internet Explorer was number one with 67 percent followed by Firefox's Mozilla with 22 percent and Apple's Safari with 8.2 percent.

(c) 2009 AFP