Google gadgets hit Mac Dashboard

Stephen Withers
Friday, 30 November 2007 05:45

Business IT - Technology

The latest version of Google Desktop for Mac adds the ability to use Google gadgets.

Google Desktop 1.4.0 comes with software that extends the repertoire of Mac OS X's Dashboard feature to include Google gadgets as well as native widgets.

Hundreds of Gadgets already exist, and "the majority of gadgets just work [on Mac] if they're written properly," according to Google software engineer Mike Pinkerton.

Specific issues include gadgets that were written in JScript rather than JavaScript, that use Windows-specific APIs, or that either rely on remaining visible and active or need access to the file system.

Google is encouraging developers to make sure their gadgets work on both platforms. If there is some fundamental reason why a gadget can only run on one platform (eg, file system access is essential to its purpose), it can be tagged to indicate which version of Google Desktop is required.

The Mac package includes an application for browsing Google's catalog of gadgets and installing any that take your fancy. The number of gadgets perform useful functions that aren't already provided by widgets is moot (how many clocks, calendars and calculators does one user need?), but Google's efforts to improve cross-platform commonality should be applauded.

Google gadgets can also be used in web pages, including customised iGoogle pages.

Google Desktop 1.4 also includes improvements that reduce indexing time and improve machine responsiveness, according to the release notes.