Dell pre-loads Google toolbar

Written by Tim Smalley

February 8, 2006 | 08:53

Tags: #bar #builder #maker #ms #oem #pre-load #preload #system #tool #toolbar

Companies: #dell #google #hp #microsoft #yahoo

Today, PC maker Dell confirmed that it is shipping new PCs with Google software pre-installed on them. The news originally surfaced on the Wall Street Journal in an article discussing the ongoing battle between Microsoft, Google and Yahoo!.

The WSJ reports that Dell invited internet firms to bid for the rights to pre-installed software on its machines in an auction that was set up by the company last year. They went on to say that Yahoo! pulled out, leaving Google and Microsoft to battle it out in a straight fight.

Google is getting into a routine of outbidding Microsoft Corp after winning the search contract with AOL Time Warner. It's not surprising to see that the search giant came out on top in this fight, too.

Google already had a pre-load deal with HP, where it paid the PC maker $1 for every PC shipped with the Google toolbar installed and then a further $0.75 the first time the user types in a query on their new PC. Details of the deal with Dell are unclear, but it is reported that Google could spend up to $1 billion over the next three years.

The article went on to say that the first ten minutes after the PC is switched on for the first time is a magic time for software bundlers. This is because the buyer is in the frame of mind to sign up for software and internet service provider offers due to the excitement of playing with their new 'toy'.

Have you ever signed up for anything in that first ten minutes of using a brand spanking new PC? Let us know in the forums.
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