Chrome

Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the most popular Web browser by far in North America, but in Europe, it has just been overthrown by Mozilla's Firefox. The coup illustrates the rapid growth of Google's Chrome browser, which has been eating away at Microsoft's market share.

IT trends researcher Gartner cut its forecast for 2011 worldwide PC shipment growth from 18.1% to 15.9%. That's still very robust for PCs, but it's an early sign that the iPad's wild popularity is taking a toll on the rest of the computer industry.

Google apparently still has big ambitions in the hardware game. The search engine and online advertising giant is reportedly going to launch the first Chrome OS netbooks within the next few weeks.

RockMelt, a startup backed by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen, will unveil its new browser today. It is directly aimed at Web surfers who spend most of their time on social networks.

Google's already got deals to supply its Chrome operating system for Hewlett-Packard and Acer laptops. But now rumors are circulating that the company's about to come out with its own laptop, also named Chrome and made by Inventec, later this month.

Google's earnings came in below expectations, and its stock got pummelled. But there are many positive factors -- from Chrome and Android to its smart acquisitions -- that will help Google remain dominant in the future.

Apple is the current standard bearer for innovation and now the biggest tech company in terms of market value. Paradoxically, Apple is succeeding even as it faces an unprecedented series of missteps, snafus and just plain bad luck.

U.S. computer giant Dell is reportedly in talks with Google over the use of the Chrome operating system on its laptops.

First announced a year ago, Google's new open-source operating system could enter the fray later this year. For investors, it's one more reason to be optimistic about the stock, which has languished so far in 2010.

The search giant is said to be upset about security flaws in Microsoft's operating system, claiming they led to the cyber-attack in China. But it's more likely that Google is simply preparing for the launch of Chrome, its much-ballyhooed Web-based OS.