AOL said today that it has signed an agreement with HP to offer co-branded, localized versions of its portal, toolbar and search on HP desktop and notebook PCs sold worldwide.

Under the agreement, the portal will be set as the default homepage, and the toolbar and search will be default settings in a number of countries around the globe. Financial terms were not released.

Under the agreement, AOL will provide HP with co-branded local language portals and toolbars, along with search results relevant for each country. AOL will offer HP users a customizable, co-branded portal, based on myAOL, which recently was released in public beta in the U.S.

"This agreement provides us a unique opportunity to showcase our portal, toolbar and other products and services to a truly global audience," said Ron Grant, President and Chief Operating Officer, AOL.

"At a time when international online markets are experiencing rapid growth, AOL is now poised to enable people around the world to create a personally relevant online destination."

AOL HP