Software Update: Google Desktop 3

Since its introduction, the Google Desktop software had not left the beta stage, but that has now changed with the first release of the 3 series. Google seems to believe that with version 3 the software has become stable, reliable and secure enough to leave the testing phase. With the Google Desktop, users have access to a sidebar that can be used to search the Internet and the local computer. In addition, this bar also provides an overview of new articles on Google News and developers can write their own plug-ins to add the desired functionality. You can also search e-mails using the supplied Outlook toolbar. An official changelog is not available, but according to the weblog In addition to a number of bug fixes, Google Desktop also includes a noteworthy new feature, namely the Quick Search Box. By pressing the ctrl key twice, the Quick Search Box appears and it is possible to use this search bar to search for keywords in documents, among other things:

In the new version of Google Desktop 3 (which is coming out of beta today), we’ve fixed a few things from the beta, and we’re also introducing a new element that makes it more convenient to find what you’re looking for by enabling you to search the web as well as your local computer, or email, as you type. We call it the Quick Search Box. It appears in the middle of your screen when you press the Ctrl button twice. When you don’t need it, the Quick Search Box automatically hides or sits on your desktop, whichever you prefer.[break]