People who buy new Sony computers may now get an introduction to Google Chrome as part of the deal.  Google and Sony have sealed a deal that will see Chrome preinstalled on some Sony products. 

Additional details are scarce; it's unknown how much money (if any) changed hands, how long the partnership is supposed to last, and what regional markets the agreement should affect.  A Google spokesman would only tell Jessica E. Vascellaro that the tie-up is a test.

It's an important one, however.  Vascellaro noted, "[T]he agreement is Chrome's first distribution deal with a hardware maker.  It's a serious step in Google's battle to loosen Microsoft's grip on the software through which people access the Internet."

If all goes well, it seems reasonable to assume that more deals will follow.

Then here's a bit more good news for Chrome fans: last night, Matt Cutts checked back in with fresh market share stats, and three different data-gathering firms indicated that Chrome's gained ground over the past 30 to 60 days.  It's still, unfortunately for Google, around or under the four percent mark, but progress is progress.