Google Introduces "Sidebar" - GoFuckYourself.com

Jace · 08-22-2005, 08:23 AM

SAN FRANCISCO ? Reinforcing its intent to expand beyond the Internet searching that made it a household name, Google Inc. today plans to launch software that pulls news stories, photographs, weather updates, stock quotes and other features onto a user's computer without opening a Web browser.

The new application, Sidebar, highlights Google's efforts to become a ubiquitous gateway for online information. It also puts Google more squarely into competition with Microsoft Corp., which is trying to integrate similar features into the next version of its Windows operating system, and with Yahoo Inc., the Internet's most popular portal.

Sidebar is "not an operating system, it's not a browser," said Greg Sterling, an analyst with Kelsey Group. "But it has elements of both in a certain way."

Sidebar comes bundled with an updated version of Google Desktop, a search tool that finds information on PC hard drives. It sits on the side of the computer screen and frequently queries the Web to update folders displaying news stories and other information. A search box also lets users find files stored on their computers, e-mail they've received and Web pages they've visited.

"We want them to sit back and let the Web come to them," said Nikhil Bhatla, product manager for Google Desktop.

Mountain View, Calif.-based Google is the latest Internet company trying to shorten the connection between consumers and the content that interests them. OS X, the latest version of Apple Computer Inc.'s operating system, includes a program called Dashboard composed of little files, known as "widgets," that automatically update with information.

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo recently acquired Pixoria, a start-up whose Konfabulator platform allows developers to create similar widgets.

Yahoo, Apple and Google each encourage developers to create new widgets for consumers to install.

Bhatla, the Google executive, touted Sidebar's ability to learn from a user's Web surfing habits. The program will add visited sites to its toolbar and receive automatic updates of postings or photos, so the user doesn't have to visit the site for fresh content. In displaying news stories, the program over time will favor categories that the user reads most often.

Google's Sidebar also may contribute to the company's growing feud with Microsoft. The software lets users bypass parts of Microsoft's Windows operating system, which analysts said was sure to aggravate executives at the Redmond, Wash.-based company.

For example, a computer user who types "word" into Sidebar's Quick Find tool may find an icon for the Microsoft Word application among the results. The program can be launched directly from the toolbar. Sidebar also displays frequently used files and applications, which means that computer users don't need to search through Windows folders to find that spreadsheet on which they were working. It also finds Web information without having to open Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.

The worry for Microsoft is that the fewer Windows features its customers use, the less important they will believe the operating system to be.

"Being able to get under the covers of any Microsoft application is not going to be seen as favorable by the Microsoft camp," said Allen Weiner, an analyst with Gartner Inc.

Sidebar does not include advertisements, but analysts said they could imagine modules that cycle through display ads based on the pages a user has visited.

OTerror · 08-22-2005, 08:26 AM

I'm not sure where google is going with this but I have used the Dashboard feature in OSX and the widgets are really cool and helpful

JD · 08-22-2005, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaceXXX

Sidebar does not include advertisements, but analysts said they could imagine modules that cycle through display ads based on the pages a user has visited.

THAT is the only reason I won't use it. I don't want people knowing my fucking surfing habits

Jace · 08-22-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPeRMiNaToR

THAT is the only reason I won't use it. I don't want people knowing my fucking surfing habits

shit...LOL...ihave never really cared about that shit, as long as they don't pull private personal info from my machine

shit, who cares if they know I was surfing something wierd....kind of funny to think about actually...and like any toolbar or web application, if you don't like people knowing your surfing habits by your ip address, don't download the software

lopez · 08-22-2005, 09:38 AM

if they know your surfing habbits, they can presnet relevant ads and results for you.
for them to make money, they gotta provide u with stuff of interest. I rather see relevant and interesting ads than non interesting non relevant ads, that will just annoy me.

(not saying i would click shit though)

Trax · 08-22-2005, 09:52 AM

hehe.. google is the biggest spyware company there is ;)

nofx · 08-22-2005, 09:53 AM

all google cares about now is making money for its shareholders

the evil has begun

volante · 08-22-2005, 10:10 AM

There is an alternative...

EroticySteve · 08-22-2005, 10:20 AM

I wouldn't go questioning Google's ethics just yet. They run a clean operation and I truly believe that they will do what they can to protect user privacy and manage a good experience if they limit to what extent they are invasive and commit to not collecting identifiable data.

Doctor Dre · 08-22-2005, 10:23 AM

I have all that in firefox + couple plugins

Sosa · 08-22-2005, 10:33 AM

i don't like it

mlj · 08-22-2005, 10:36 AM

I use ObjectDock ;)

http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

Porko · 08-22-2005, 11:55 AM

i love google.
see sig !

08-22-2005, 08:23 AM	#1
Jace FBOP Class Of 2013 Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: bumfuck, ky Posts: 35,562	Google Introduces "Sidebar" SAN FRANCISCO ? Reinforcing its intent to expand beyond the Internet searching that made it a household name, Google Inc. today plans to launch software that pulls news stories, photographs, weather updates, stock quotes and other features onto a user's computer without opening a Web browser. The new application, Sidebar, highlights Google's efforts to become a ubiquitous gateway for online information. It also puts Google more squarely into competition with Microsoft Corp., which is trying to integrate similar features into the next version of its Windows operating system, and with Yahoo Inc., the Internet's most popular portal. Sidebar is "not an operating system, it's not a browser," said Greg Sterling, an analyst with Kelsey Group. "But it has elements of both in a certain way." Sidebar comes bundled with an updated version of Google Desktop, a search tool that finds information on PC hard drives. It sits on the side of the computer screen and frequently queries the Web to update folders displaying news stories and other information. A search box also lets users find files stored on their computers, e-mail they've received and Web pages they've visited. "We want them to sit back and let the Web come to them," said Nikhil Bhatla, product manager for Google Desktop. Mountain View, Calif.-based Google is the latest Internet company trying to shorten the connection between consumers and the content that interests them. OS X, the latest version of Apple Computer Inc.'s operating system, includes a program called Dashboard composed of little files, known as "widgets," that automatically update with information. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo recently acquired Pixoria, a start-up whose Konfabulator platform allows developers to create similar widgets. Yahoo, Apple and Google each encourage developers to create new widgets for consumers to install. Bhatla, the Google executive, touted Sidebar's ability to learn from a user's Web surfing habits. The program will add visited sites to its toolbar and receive automatic updates of postings or photos, so the user doesn't have to visit the site for fresh content. In displaying news stories, the program over time will favor categories that the user reads most often. Google's Sidebar also may contribute to the company's growing feud with Microsoft. The software lets users bypass parts of Microsoft's Windows operating system, which analysts said was sure to aggravate executives at the Redmond, Wash.-based company. For example, a computer user who types "word" into Sidebar's Quick Find tool may find an icon for the Microsoft Word application among the results. The program can be launched directly from the toolbar. Sidebar also displays frequently used files and applications, which means that computer users don't need to search through Windows folders to find that spreadsheet on which they were working. It also finds Web information without having to open Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. The worry for Microsoft is that the fewer Windows features its customers use, the less important they will believe the operating system to be. "Being able to get under the covers of any Microsoft application is not going to be seen as favorable by the Microsoft camp," said Allen Weiner, an analyst with Gartner Inc. Sidebar does not include advertisements, but analysts said they could imagine modules that cycle through display ads based on the pages a user has visited.

08-22-2005, 08:26 AM	#2
OTerror Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: ICQ: 424142850 Posts: 2,527	I'm not sure where google is going with this but I have used the Dashboard feature in OSX and the widgets are really cool and helpful __________________ ICQ 424142850

08-22-2005, 09:53 AM	#7
nofx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Virgin Mary's womb Posts: 16,826	all google cares about now is making money for its shareholders the evil has begun __________________ Often times I wonder why There's love and hate, theres live or die. When sickness comes I must decide: When feelings go, theres suicide.

08-22-2005, 10:20 AM	#9
EroticySteve Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 4,365	I wouldn't go questioning Google's ethics just yet. They run a clean operation and I truly believe that they will do what they can to protect user privacy and manage a good experience if they limit to what extent they are invasive and commit to not collecting identifiable data. __________________ You deserve to make more money. I'll help you do that. Our affiliates earn up to $3/email or $107/sale email steve <at> eroticy.com - icq 290153464

08-22-2005, 11:55 AM	#13
Porko SeeMyBucks.com Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,014	i love google. see sig ! __________________

08-22-2005, 09:38 AM	#5
lopez Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 299	if they know your surfing habbits, they can presnet relevant ads and results for you. for them to make money, they gotta provide u with stuff of interest. I rather see relevant and interesting ads than non interesting non relevant ads, that will just annoy me. (not saying i would click shit though)

08-22-2005, 09:52 AM	#6
Trax [----------------------] Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 14,486	hehe.. google is the biggest spyware company there is ;)

08-22-2005, 10:10 AM	#8
volante Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LAX Immigration Posts: 2,940	There is an alternative...

08-22-2005, 10:33 AM	#11
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	i don't like it

08-22-2005, 10:36 AM	#12
mlj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 89	I use ObjectDock ;) http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/