Google Desk Bar

Google released a program called Deskbar, which places its popular search engine on the desktop of PC's as part of the Windows Operating System.

The move comes after the news that Microsoft was looking at taking over Google.

By installing the Google logo on the desktop, the company is trying to avoid the fate of Netscape's Web browser, which was taken off many PC's by Microsoft's own Internet Explorer.

"I'd say the focus is on how to make finding information easier and faster," said John Piscitello, the product manager for Deskbar, while refusing to comment on Microsoft's own search strategies. "We're looking into ways to make search seamless."

The Deskbar, available at http://labs.google.com/, allows users to pop a word into the search engine with a keystroke, bringing up the results in a sliding "windowpane." Piscitello said the product is like a built-in dictionary and encyclopedia, saving time when people need a quick reference.

For now, the Deskbar only searches the Internet or a corporate network. Piscitello would not comment on whether Google is working on a program that will search within a user's computer.

Google Deskbar enables you to search with Google from any application without lifting your fingers from the keyboard. Installs easily in your Windows task bar.

When asking Google if the searches sent any information to Google they said No.

This is unlike the Google Toolbar which records and sends all information from your browser to Google.

We are still interested to see, what this private company, with information on 75% of the worlds internet searches, will do with it.

In other news, sources said Microsoft was considering using Google to handle its search functions in Europe. Currently, the software company contracts Yahoo! as a search engine.

See here for some views about how Google gathers information about you.

As a company we do not advise the installation of any software that allows automatic updates without your authorization.