Google Desktop for Mac

MacRumors · Apr 5, 2007, 01:03 AM

Google has released a beta of Google Desktop for the Mac. Google's Mac Blog provides some details about the release from Mike Pinkerton.

Google Desktop is a software download that brings Google's search engine to your Mac.

Quote:

You have lots of information on your computer, and you see a lot more on the web. With Google Desktop, you can quickly and easily find all this stuff right when you need it, including your files, emails, and web pages you've seen.

Pinkerton explains that they took time with the project to deeply integrate it into Mac OS X and to maintain a high standard of usability. Their other goals were to make the desktop search fast and easy to use.

Arstechnica posts a first look at the software and describes it as "somewhat slim" compared to the Windows version. However, they expect continuous updates:

Quote:

The Google team says that it plans to eventually bring all Google Desktop features to the Mac, which they estimate to happen sometime within the next six months. "Now that we have a strong Mac team on Google Desktops, we have the scale to do updates on a much more regular basis," said Pichai. "From now on, there will not be such large gaps between revisions."

Ars describes Google Desktop as "significantly faster" than Apple's own Spotlight and also can integrate GMail and Google Search history content in your searches.

ibook30 · Apr 5, 2007, 01:07 AM

Nice to see Google make another nod to the Mac community, it feels good to be welcomed by googlezon....

I'm very happy with Spotlight, so no plans to download this.

donlphi · Apr 5, 2007, 01:08 AM

I want it

bankshot · Apr 5, 2007, 01:13 AM

From the web page:

Quote:

Requires Mac OS 10.4+

Doh. You'd think this would be a killer application for Panther Macs (like the one I'm typing on right now), without Spotlight. Other than Google Desktop supposedly being faster than Spotlight, what does it offer?

Teh Don Ditty · Apr 5, 2007, 01:15 AM

It also appears to be an application launcher a la QuickSilver

ibook30 · Apr 5, 2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donlphi

actually I just wanted to be the first to post... I don't care about Google desktop

Content before placement....

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankshot

Doh. You'd think this would be a killer application for Panther Macs (like the one I'm typing on right now), without Spotlight. Other than Google Desktop supposedly being faster than Spotlight, what does it offer?

I agree - I'd consider installing it on my older 10.3 machine without Spotlight - if it works... lemme know if anyone tries it on Panther...

nagromme · Apr 5, 2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Don Ditty

It also appears to be an application launcher a la QuickSilver

Or Spotlight, with Command-Return. I use that all the time--now that I have a recent/fast Mac. (Not fast enough to be worth that usage on my old G4.)

twoodcc · Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibook30

Nice to see Google make another nod to the Mac community, it feels good to be welcomed by googlezon....

I'm very happy with Spotlight, so no plans to download this.

i agree....nice that they are doing this....but i don't really need it....

tuartboy · Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

(Not fast enough to be worth that usage on my old G4.)

Agreed. Spotlight on a G4 is quite a dog.

I couldn't imagine a worse timing for this product. This would be killer on 10.3 and older, but requires 10.4. It may be faster than spotlight, but spotlight is getting a huge overhaul with leopard and will likely outshine anything google can come up with by then.

However, as stated before, any attention from google is welcome.

dornoforpyros · Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM

Although I applaud google's commitment to the mac community (sure it takes a few months, but they always get it out eventually), I've gotta say I'm not comfortable unlocking the door to my hard drive for em.

Nothings free in this world, and the adsense info is soon to follow.

ortuno2k · Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM

I don't care about Google Desktop for Mac.
I tried it once on my Windoze PC and quickly got rid of it; just didn't appeal, it's junkware, IMO.
As far as an application and search app, Spotlight works fine for my needs.

Teh Don Ditty · Apr 5, 2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme

Or Spotlight, with Command-Return. I use that all the time--now that I have a recent/fast Mac. (Not fast enough to be worth that usage on my old G4.)

Command-Return only opens a finder window where said program or file is. QuickSilver and apparently Google have the ability to launch.

ex: I have QuickSilver installed, I press Command-Enter to invoke it type say Quicktime and press return.

Basically, it subtracts one step. And it's not worth arguing over

evilgEEk · Apr 5, 2007, 01:35 AM

The integration of Gmail would be nice, but how could it be faster than Spotlight? Spotlight is always instant for me, perhaps a second wait every now and then...

Oh well, back to American Gladiators on ESPN Classic.

quigleybc · Apr 5, 2007, 01:51 AM

Said

"google desktop could not be installed"

WTF

oh well,

bmoorhouse · Apr 5, 2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Don Ditty

Command-Return only opens a finder window where said program or file is. QuickSilver and apparently Google have the ability to launch.

ex: I have QuickSilver installed, I press Command-Enter to invoke it type say Quicktime and press return.

Basically, it subtracts one step. And it's not worth arguing over

Actually, it is Command-Click that opens a Finder window.

The original poster was correct - Command-Enter will launch programs, or open files for that matter.

So, Quicksilver does not subtract a step - they are the same.

GregA · Apr 5, 2007, 01:55 AM

A google desktop search worries me in some way. I think it's because we need a file management system more than a search system... and I'm hoping Apple is doing that with Leopard. I also like the fact that Leopard's spotlight will search the other machines you're networked to, not just your own machine (... or will it only search Leopard servers??).

Apple's search is becoming entwined with smart folders, and those smart folders are used in multiple areas including music playlists, photo albums, even things like podcast "channels" (I have a "tech podcast" smart folder).

While iTunes & the finder have distinctly different styles for finding your data, I suspect this will undergo a revolution of sorts, and searching will be a part of that. Google can't offer that.

ps. Agreed that google desktop for 10.3 would be great for many people
pps. just came out of a migraine, hope the above makes sense.

SiliconAddict · Apr 5, 2007, 02:08 AM

Umm wow. Its faster then Spotlight.

GodBless · Apr 5, 2007, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregA

pps. just came out of a migraine, hope the above makes sense.

If you are drinking diet pop stop. Aspartame causes headaches and brain damage--it's an excitotoxin.

As for the Google Desktop--well this will probably work really well in combination with Spotlight. If you can't do something with one--try it with the other. Plus both pieces of software will influence each other and searching will advance faster.

GodBless · Apr 5, 2007, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

Umm wow. Its faster then Spotlight.

That's good news!

MacFly123 · Apr 5, 2007, 02:18 AM

Not to diss Google, but that is one of the things I hate about PCs is all the extra CRAP add on software. Ok it may be good, but its just all this little extra junk added on. I want my system clean and clear, thats one of the many things I love about Macs, we have all these cool things built in in a beautiful elegant functional way, so no need for all the extra crap.

Stridder44 · 03:45 AM

I don't see the point of this. Leopard's spotlight is totally rewritten, right? Even so, spotlight as it is is instant. I mean MAYBE sometimes there's a 1 second delay. I'm happy thanks.

How about working on Picasa for Mac instead? You know, something that could actually be useful?

rafrif · Apr 5, 2007, 02:34 AM

Google Desktop for Windows modifies the TCP/IP stack! I wonder what they do in OSX?

gwilli · Apr 5, 2007, 02:44 AM

Quote:

also can integrate GMail and Google Search history content in your searches.

I might be wrong but.... if you check your gmail through Mail, doesn't spotlight search through your gmail any way?

gavd · Apr 5, 2007, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwilli

I might be wrong but.... if you check your gmail through Mail, doesn't spotlight search through your gmail any way?

I don't have gmail so I don't know, but if it does, then I guess the advantage in this is for people who don't pick up their gmail through Mail.app

x86isslow · Apr 5, 2007, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafrif

Google Desktop for Windows modifies the TCP/IP stack! I wonder what they do in OSX?

John Gruber answered that today in his post: http://daringfireball.net/2007/04/go...ktop_installer

Apr 5, 2007, 01:07 AM	#2
ibook30 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 2,000 light years from home	Nice to see Google make another nod to the Mac community, it feels good to be welcomed by googlezon.... I'm very happy with Spotlight, so no plans to download this. __________________

Apr 5, 2007, 01:08 AM	#3
donlphi macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle (M$ Country)	I want it __________________ 8Mhz Mac Classic, 933Mhz PowerMac G4 Quicksilver, 2.33Ghz Macbook Pro, 2 x 2.8 Quad Core Mac Pro, Dell Mini 9 Hackintosh, Slingbox Pro, AppleTV, 32GB iPhone 3g S⃣

Apr 5, 2007, 01:15 AM	#5
Teh Don Ditty macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY	It also appears to be an application launcher a la QuickSilver __________________ Disgusting.

Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM	#10
dornoforpyros macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB	Although I applaud google's commitment to the mac community (sure it takes a few months, but they always get it out eventually), I've gotta say I'm not comfortable unlocking the door to my hard drive for em. Nothings free in this world, and the adsense info is soon to follow. __________________ www.JasonDorn.com \| this looked better on paper

Apr 5, 2007, 01:29 AM	#11
ortuno2k macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Miami, FL	I don't care about Google Desktop for Mac. I tried it once on my Windoze PC and quickly got rid of it; just didn't appeal, it's junkware, IMO. As far as an application and search app, Spotlight works fine for my needs. __________________ 15" C2D MacBook Pro 2.33 GHz with 3GB of RAM, 320GB HDD on 10.6.1

Apr 5, 2007, 01:35 AM	#13
evilgEEk macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boise, Idaho	The integration of Gmail would be nice, but how could it be faster than Spotlight? Spotlight is always instant for me, perhaps a second wait every now and then... Oh well, back to American Gladiators on ESPN Classic.

Apr 5, 2007, 01:51 AM	#14
quigleybc macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beautiful Vancouver British Columbia, Canada	Said "google desktop could not be installed" WTF oh well, __________________ Black Book Black iPhone powermacg5 * iPod touch,nano,shuffle,3g * etc...

Apr 5, 2007, 01:55 AM	#16
GregA macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Australia	A google desktop search worries me in some way. I think it's because we need a file management system more than a search system... and I'm hoping Apple is doing that with Leopard. I also like the fact that Leopard's spotlight will search the other machines you're networked to, not just your own machine (... or will it only search Leopard servers??). Apple's search is becoming entwined with smart folders, and those smart folders are used in multiple areas including music playlists, photo albums, even things like podcast "channels" (I have a "tech podcast" smart folder). While iTunes & the finder have distinctly different styles for finding your data, I suspect this will undergo a revolution of sorts, and searching will be a part of that. Google can't offer that. ps. Agreed that google desktop for 10.3 would be great for many people pps. just came out of a migraine, hope the above makes sense.

Apr 5, 2007, 02:08 AM	#17
SiliconAddict macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burnsville, Minnesota, USA	Umm wow. Its faster then Spotlight. __________________ -iPod Video 160GB -MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz/3GB RAM/250GB -Newton 4700 (a.k.a iPaq 4700) -Dell 2405FPW 24" Widescreen

Apr 5, 2007, 02:18 AM	#20
MacFly123 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2006	Junk Not to diss Google, but that is one of the things I hate about PCs is all the extra CRAP add on software. Ok it may be good, but its just all this little extra junk added on. I want my system clean and clear, thats one of the many things I love about Macs, we have all these cool things built in in a beautiful elegant functional way, so no need for all the extra crap.

Apr 5, 2007, 02:24 AM	#21
Stridder44 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: California	I don't see the point of this. Leopard's spotlight is totally rewritten, right? Even so, spotlight as it is is instant. I mean MAYBE sometimes there's a 1 second delay. I'm happy thanks. How about working on Picasa for Mac instead? You know, something that could actually be useful? __________________ The Un-Funny Truth About Scientology (Warning: Graphic images) MacBook Pro 15.4"/2.5 GHz/250GB/4GB RAM iMac G4 17"/800 Mhz/80GB/512GB RAM Last edited by longofest : Apr 5, 2007 at 03:45 AM. Reason: removal of off topic thread

Apr 5, 2007, 02:34 AM	#22
rafrif macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2007	Google Desktop for Windows dangerous? Google Desktop for Windows modifies the TCP/IP stack! I wonder what they do in OSX?

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