Google, Adobe in toolbar partnership

Google, Adobe in toolbar partnership

SAN FRANCISCO - Adobe Systems Inc announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with search giant Google Inc to distribute the Google Toolbar Web search software with its Shockwave product.

Under the terms of the deal, users will get the Google toolbar when they download Adobe's Shockwave player for use in Internet Explorer, which is a Microsoft product. "We're excited to partner with Adobe to make these features available to their users, and look forward to finding other ways to work together," Google said in a statement posted on its Web site.

The move marks another step forward for the Mountain View, California-based company, which aims to fight Microsoft in every segment with its own products. The reason Google is inking deals is the fact that Microsoft will offer its own web search software when it releases Windows Vista early next year.

Commenting on the new deal, Adobe President and COO Shantanu Narayen aid he was happy to forge a partnership with Google. "The popularity and reach of Adobe technology gives Google even broader exposure to a growing base of consumers. We expect the agreement to represent significant revenue to Adobe over a period of years," he added. Adobe Shockwave player currently plays on an estimated of 55 percent of computers that are ready with Internet connections.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but are said to be lucrative for Adobe. Google has shelled out a huge amount to have its search on top in Mozilla's Firefox browser. Last month it inked a similar deal with Dell computers.

Share of Adobe increased 1.6 percent to $30.35 in evening trading, while Google was up 39 cents to $402.52.