Google launches Deskbar

 

Gallery

By Steve Malone

Posted on 7 Nov 2003 at 11:59

Search engine Google has introduced another tool to its ever increasing suite of search-based functions. The Deskbar is designed to provide instant results without having to fire up a browser.

The Windows-only application resides in the Windows taskbar. When a search term is entered, the results appear in a rising pane from the taskbar. Clicking on the search term within the results shows the web page within the pane. You can also launch the page within a browser from the pane or resize the pane to see more of the web page.

Although the Deskbar seems to duplicate the functions of the popular Google browser toolbar, the company insists that the two are complimentary. The idea being that you can find information you need - including calculations and currency conversions - without having to stop what you are doing and fire up a browser.

The deskbar can be launched by pressing Ctrl/Alt/G and also features a set of keyboard shortcuts which enters the search term for Google sections Ctrl/N for News, Ctrl/I for Images etc.

The beta version of the Google Deskbar runs on Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98/ME systems and can be found at Google.