Maybe it's something in the water...
Google is making itself at home in Microsoft territory, otherwise known as the desktop. On Wednesday, at Goldman Sachs Annual Internet Conference, Google CEO Eric Schmidt confirmed longstanding rumors that his company plans to partner with Dell to install Google search software on Dell computers.
Apparently, the specter of Microsoft's new Vista OS is forcing the competition to be pre-emptive. Remember that schoolyard game, Red Rover? It looks like everybody is bracing for the impact the changing internet/IT universe will have on their business.
Some of the specifics:
The deal calls for Dell PCs to come with Google Desktop and Google Toolbar pre-installed. It also stipulates that Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 will be set to use a Google home page.
For its part, Dell gets to cash in on its dominance of the PC market. Schmidt declined to discuss specifics of the deal other than to say it involved the sharing of Internet advertising revenue. According to the Wall Street Journal, which in February first reported that the two companies were in talks, Google will be paying a fee for each PC outfitted with its software.
So, the next front in the Internet clash has been identified. Let's hope when the smoke clears, we'll be on the winning side too!
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