Google Desktop 5: 29 languages and a Mac version

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 30 April 2007 07:56

Your IT - Entertainment

Google goes gangbusters in releasing the latest version of a ‘Google for your computer’, the Google Desktop that lets users search their computers at the same speed they can search the Internet and easily find all their files.

Way back in 2003, Microsoft spoke about a new search program for the next version of Windows that would enable users to find information stored on their hard drives in superfast times – a massive change from the treacle-like search that had been included with Windows up until that point.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, their ‘next version of Windows’ took an additional 3+ years to arrive, and in that time, Apple, Google, Yahoo, Copernic and others had come out with their own desktop search software to capitalize on Microsoft’s announcement. Even Microsoft had to come to the party with ‘Windows Desktop Search’ because it took them so long to release Windows Vista which came with the promised desktop search capability built-in.

Now, Google is launching ‘Google Desktop 5’, the latest version of their highly regarded desktop search software, in conjunction with the release, just three weeks ago, of their first Google Desktop for Mac, to compete with the ‘Spotlight’ desktop search Apple includes in Mac OS X as standard.

Google say that the latest version is available in 29 languages which includes ‘Hindi’ for the first time. While the application essentially retains the simple and sparse ‘Google look and feel’ that Google is renowned for, Google have redesigned the sidebar and many of their most popular gadgets, no doubt to compete in some small way with Vista’s own sidebar and  gadgets.

Given some ‘adwords’ security breaches in recent days, and given the online world’s heightened realization of the incredible importance of security, it should come as no surprise that Google Desktop 5 takes security ever more seriously than before.

Google’s says that: “There are also previews for search results and warnings for suspicious websites, whether you're clicking on links from documents, IMs, websites, and more”.

The features section on what’s inside the new Google Desktop 5 says the following about security: “We care about your security, and have added a feature to make your search experience safer and easier by helping to combat both phishing and malicious software websites. Whether you’re clicking on links from documents, IMs and e-mails on your desktop or browsing the web itself, you may receive a warning when you’re about to visit a site that might be trying to steal your personal information or install malicious software on your computer, so you can decide if you want to use the site.”

Here’s the link to download Google Desktop 5, here’s the link to the Mac version, and here’s the link to more information on all the features in the latest PC version.