Google (GOOG +1.36%) has no shortage of hardware partners these days, with Android dominating the smartphone market and Chrome gaining traction in low-end laptops. Google already has Acer, Samsung, Lenovo, and Hewlett-Packard all making Chromebooks, but Big G might be getting another partner.
LG has now filed three different trademarks that hint at its Chrome ambitions, which would take its existing relationship with Google to the next level. LG and Google partner with Nexus phones, and the newest Nexus 5 is due out any day now. This possible partnership makes a lot of sense.
Chrome OS has all the disruptive traits that led to Android's success, but it will take a lot longer to gain traction, since the PC market is much more mature. Chromebooks are taking off in low-end market segments, grabbing as much as 20% to 25% market share. Yet the operating system still fails to show up in a meaningful way in usage statistics, underscoring how much of an uphill battle Chrome OS will face.
In this segment of Tech Teardown, Erin Kennedy discusses LG's possible Chrome ambitions with Evan Niu, CFA.
