There has been much speculation lately about Microsoft's plans to steal the top spot in search technology by integrating search with all applications, not merely the browser.
Today Google responded to this threat with a pre-emptive strike: the company released a beta version of its Google Deskbar application, which integrates web search functionality with the desktop, without launching a browser. Search results are previewed in a small inset window that closes automatically.
The Deskbar application has been greeted with much hurrah by Google enthusiasts, who see it as a brazen challenge to Microsoft.
In truth, however, the Deskbar application is not a significant development. For me it has a gimmicky feel – much like recent additions to the Google toolbar, such as automatic form filler, which were similarly heralded as "technological breakthroughs".
Just as Google cannot claim to have exclusively developed the features in its toolbar, neither can it claim to have invented deskbar searching. There are already a number of deskbar search tools available. Most notable among these is Dave Bau’s Search Deskbar – which is not limited to results from Google.
While Google is clearly maintaining the quality and integrity of its search results, it has also started pandering to the market, using tactic, strategy and gimmick to keep its brand – and its popularity – to the fore.
Comments
0 comments