The Google Deskbar makes it possible to search Google instantly at any time, even if you aren’t running a web browser: Download and check out the new Google Deskbar I just did.

Upon installation, I chose not to send the anonymous usage statisics to Google Labs (see picture below). I’m already doing that through the Google Toolbar so I figured enough was enough.

Other features of note: check the latest news from Google News, check out movie reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, software downloads from download.com, access Google from any application using CTRL+ALT+G, use keyboard shortcuts for multiple Google searches (CTRL+N for Google News for example), preview search resuls in a small inset window that closes automatically (see below).

Now that Google is working its way into the toolbar, is it fair comparing it to the Borg cube? Are netizens slowly being assimilated? I use Google all the time because it is very handy and it seems to be the most revelant most of the time, so I guess I don’t mind them moving in on the desktop.

More Google entries:
Google Adsense releases 2 new ad formats
Google adds more free services and features

Others blogging:
Google snubs Blogger with deskbar release
Battlemedia: “It’s an interesting bid to move beyond the browser and challenge MSFT directly at the Windows level.”
Technically Speaking: “Google is at it again”
Jivha - the Tongue: “The world’s favourite search-engine which is fast on it’s way to replace God for a lot of people around the world”

Did this post make you go hmm?

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