Sun could be next exhibit at Computer History Museum

G-thanks, Google

With just a couple hours to go before the Sun and Google press conference, industry speculation continues to run hot and heavy around what the two companies might reveal. As usual, however, El Reg has outclassed rival publications and moved past the gossip to nail what will be announced.

Many reckon Sun and Google have some kind of OpenOffice web-based suite planned to knock Microsoft off its revenue high horse. Or maybe they'll sell numerous software packages via Google's strong brand. Others have even suggested that Google may purchase an enormous fleet of Sun's new Opteron-based servers. And, we believe, there is some truth in that last, speculative nugget.

Sun co-founder and designer of the new Opteron servers Andy Bechtolsheim was one of the first investors in Google. And, as a reward for Bechtolsheim's generosity, the Google founders have come up with a grand plan, we predict.

Yes, El Reg's crack team of futurologists forecast that at the Computer History Museum press conference today, Google CEO Eric Schmidt will reveal that his online advertising and search company has bought Sun and donated it to the museum. We expect the wraps will come off on a lavish Google-funded Sun diorama and interactive Flash video that will make up the "Sun Won't Rise Tomorrow: The last solar headline cliche" exhibit.

What's the betting Schmidt even went so far as to grease the curator's palm with a cool $100m to make sure that the Sun booth got a prime spot next to Apple's Newton.

Stay tuned for more details. ®