Google building 3D hardware boost into Chrome

From CNET -

Google has begun building its O3D plug-in for hardware-accelerated 3D graphics into its Chrome browser, Chromium. The move furthers Google's ambition to speed the transformation of the Web from a static medium into a foundation for applications, including high-powered Web-based games. Another piece is Google Native Client, which is designed to let Web apps take advantage of a computer's native processing power.

The overall effort has taken on new importance with the announcement of Chrome OS. Chrome OS will use Linux under the covers, but the real foundation for Chrome OS apps is the Web.