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Google Desktop Mimics Vista Sidebar

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

March 7, 2007, 4:49 PM

Google on Wednesday rolled out a beta version 5 of its Desktop product, which includes a desktop search, sidebar and Google Gadgets. It could be said that Google Desktop 5 has been "Vista-fied," with a new design that better blends into the background.

Other features in version 5 include a "Preview" feature in desktop search that enables users to quickly glance at documents without opening them fully. Security has also been bolstered such that Google will now warn users when they click on links from documents, e-mails or IM logs that may lead to a malicious Web site.

But the big change in the new beta is the sidebar, which, like in Windows Vista, holds mini-applications that perform tasks like stream news feeds or display the weather. Google has redesigned many of its gadgets so they are easier on the eyes and fit the look and feel established by Microsoft with Vista.

Moreover, the sidebar samples the background color of the user's desktop and fades in that color so it integrates seamlessly into the desktop. "More differentiated gadgets allow for faster scanning of information through the sidebar. And we've created a new dialog for adding gadgets so it's easier and faster than ever to find the right gadgets for you," added Google Desktop product manager Kevin Tom.

The "Add Gadgets" interface is activated by clicking the "+" button at the top of the sidebar, and displays gadgets by categories. Users can also search for available gadgets, rather than navigating to the Google Web site to do so.

The Google Desktop 5 Beta is available for download from FileForum.

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By robmanic44

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 3:48 PM

I've used Stardock products since WindowBlinds 1.x and it has generally been a good system. I like the fact that I can use the widgets I want and not a lot of garbage I don't want. I currently use a weather report and system meters. Vista sidebars are available, but I've never used one.

Score: 0

By cap737

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 11:48 AM

This looks to be a very good program. Another alternative feature to add to the XP users who want some of the functionality of Vista without going through the hassle of using Vista.

Score: 0

By ModderXManiac

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 11:33 AM

So what, Google Desktop is exactly like Vista's sidebar, but it's better in everyway, so it doesn't matter.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 10:11 PM

HOW COME no one whines about how Google is copying Microsoft but everyone can whine about how Microsoft copied Apple?

The hypocrisy and unfairness is astounding.

Score: 0

By TurningWorm

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 2:22 PM

Ummmmm.... 'cause the sidebar idea has been around LONG before MS used it in Vista OR Apple's Dashboard. So the worst that could be said of Google is that they're copying the same folks everyone else is copying. Konfabulator, Desktop Sidebar, RainMeter, RainLender and Stardock's DesktopX are only a few examples of similar ideas that have been around since before Dashboard. I could even argue that "Sidekick" back in the days of DOS was basically the same idea with fewer options.

Score: 0

By skorpian

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 8:44 AM

I agree...so that begs the question, If MS is copying Apple and Google is copying MS, does that mean Google is copying Apple?

Score: 0

By frankwick

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 2:38 PM

They are all copying Konfabulator. Heck, Konfabulator copied OS/2!!!

Score: 0

By frankwick

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 4:10 PM

Proof that OS/2 had a sidebar: http://pages.prodigy.net...story/os221/od_fold.gif

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Mar 8, 2007 - 4:27 PM

...which many users loved dearly, hence OD for windows via Stardock, originally created to mimic the OS/2 dock.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 9:21 PM

Toshiba had a sidebar way back in 1995 on my very first computer. It wasnt transparent but it basically did the same thing with a calendar, clock etc...

This is nothing groundbreaking or new. I never used the bar because it was ugly but they thought of this nonsense years ago.

Score: 0

By Agent31

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 8:14 PM

It's not really that new... they've done the transparency in the builds for the last few months... the softened corners etc are really only dressing up the previous appearance.

I don't really have a need for these search apps, but it looks kinda pretty!

Score: 0

By The MAZZTer

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 4:57 PM

I noticed this. However, it seems Microsoft's integrated search into Windows will probably corner that area as well. I simply don't have need for GDS in Vista, although I will continue to use it in XP.

It is worth noting that I did use GDS briefly in Vista. It was easily better than Vista's "New and improved" search. I was looking for DLL and LIB files and Vista could find none, while GDS found exactly what I needed.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Mar 7, 2007 - 5:30 PM

Set the search functionality to look in hidden and system folders just like in every other OS MS has ever released.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Mar 7, 2007 - 6:01 PM

By The MAZZTer posted Mar 7, 2007 - 4:57 PM

I noticed this. However, it seems Microsoft's integrated search into Windows will probably corner that area as well. I simply don't have need for GDS in Vista, although I will continue to use it in XP.

It is worth noting that I did use GDS briefly in Vista. It was easily better than Vista's "New and improved" search.

Got me lost with that seemingly contradictory statement....

I hope Google integrates the search as soon as you type feature in order to better compete...and keeps on working to lower memory usage.

Score: 0

By The MAZZTer

edited Mar 8, 2007 - 2:53 PM

I meant that I was using GDS just for the Sidebar (although I did a few searches and noticed GDS found what I needed while MS' search did not) for a bit in Vista, but then I tried Windows Sidebar and liked some of the gadgets, as well as the fact that Windows Sidebar could add more than one of a particular gadget (GDS couldn't do that when I tried!).

Also, I always search with hidden/system files and folders. The files I was looking for were not in those areas anyways. I was looking for a common runtime DLL that I needed for a program to run (I knew I had to have some other program that used it) and the ZLIB LIB file (found a Visual-Studio compatible version in, ironically, my Dev-C++ Library directory) so I could link it to a C++ program I was trying to compile from source.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Mar 9, 2007 - 1:59 PM

The only thing I can think of there is that WDS hadn't fully indexed the drive yet.

Both should be able to find any file on your system.

Score: 0

By icw70

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 10:05 AM

I downloaded it and it crashed my outlook. beware, will ruin your .pst file.

Score: 0

By skorpian

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 1:13 PM

Maybe that's their sly attempt at getting you to use Gmail.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 10:44 PM

lol

Score: 0

By cap737

posted Mar 8, 2007 - 11:49 AM

it is a beta...

Score: 0

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