Google Looks At Paying For Chrome Distribution

Google (GOOG) is reportedly thinking about doing deals with PC makers to have its Chrome Browser pre-installed on new computers. This is not going to come cheap. PC makers have created a multi billion dollar business out of charging companies to pre-install software on new PCs. If Google does these kinds of pay to play deals, they will certainly bundle other services and software into the deal, most notably the Google Toolbar, Gmail, and Google Apps.

According to a report in The Times, Google will likely start working those deals after it pulls the “beta” label from Chrome in early 2009. This will definitely up the ante on the browser wars. This is a battle that for many has been long over since Microsoft decimated Netscape in the 90s. Even with Firefox eroding some of Microsoft Internet Explorer’s market share the war seemed to be long over. But Google seems to be taking another shot at it and have plenty of resources to pay for disribution. Lets see how long Google is committed to the browser business. If its anything like Lively, Chrome will be killed before the end of the year.