Google doesn't care if IE goes away, as long as IE is a standards-compliant, performant browser. At that point, it's just a commodity offering from Microsoft and not a strategic weapon used in an attempt to hold on to an eroding Windows/Office monopoly.
Google wins when browsers become good enough to provide for so many user needs that a Windows PC becomes viewed as a specialty device for gaming, etc. Google's cloud printing initiative is further evidence that they hold this view. Grandma might be happy with a ChromeOS netbook sitting on the coffee table so she can videoconference with her kids, but she still wants to print photos of her grandkids for the refrigerator -- so, she still owns a Windows machine instead.
What does "win" mean for Google? The obvious benefit is that breaking down the Windows/Office franchise cuts off a lot of Microsoft's air supply. The oft stated benefit is that Google is best positioned to monetize a Windows-free world, but I think that breaking down Windows/Office is likely to lift all boats but one.
Google wins when browsers become good enough to provide for so many user needs that a Windows PC becomes viewed as a specialty device for gaming, etc. Google's cloud printing initiative is further evidence that they hold this view. Grandma might be happy with a ChromeOS netbook sitting on the coffee table so she can videoconference with her kids, but she still wants to print photos of her grandkids for the refrigerator -- so, she still owns a Windows machine instead.
What does "win" mean for Google? The obvious benefit is that breaking down the Windows/Office franchise cuts off a lot of Microsoft's air supply. The oft stated benefit is that Google is best positioned to monetize a Windows-free world, but I think that breaking down Windows/Office is likely to lift all boats but one.