Holger’s weblog

Google unveils the Software Pack

January 7th, 2006

In his CES keynote yesterday, Google CEO Larry Page unveiled the “Google Software Pack”. It contains pretty much nothing new, a first look at its contents confirmed that I have most of it installed already and the things I don’t have installed, I didn’t want.
But it sure makes sense for Google to release this as a software pack – and it’s probably a good way to bring software to the masses that so far has been limited in its distribution to the more tech-savvy parts of the internet community. Besides, the pack contains almost everything that Microsoft is only planning as the features distinguishing their new Windows Vista from the current Windows XP. There’s antispyware, antivirus software (although I must say that Symantec’s offering has never been very convincing to me), desktop search etc. etc….
One thing that seems like a really nice idea is the updater that comes with all this and can be used to make sure that all components of the software pack are always up to date. Maybe this will help the security of Joe Average users and keep a lot of the software updated that’s not covered by Windows Update… that sure would be a step in the right direction.

Further Information: Google Pack provisions for the masses | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

Some Analysis: Google’s software choices do not threaten Microsoft (yet) | Open Source | ZDNet.com

Technorati : Google, Windows, software

Entry Filed under: News,Technology