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Google Pack
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article or section contains information about computer software currently in development. The content may change as the software development progresses. |
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Google Pack is "a one-stop software package that helps you discover, install, and maintain a wide range of essential PC programs,"[1] intended for buyers of new PCs. It was announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, on January 6. Google Pack is currently only available for Windows XP and Vista. The release puzzled some industry observers as it wasn't clear what Google had hoped to achieve, with Google Pack appearing as a collection of unrelated software.[2]
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Users can choose which of the following programs to install. If the program is already installed, Google Updater checks to see if the user has the latest version and upgrades it, if necessary.[3]
Programs available vary based on which language/locale selected and operating system (OS). The USA Windows XP version of Google Pack offers all of the current programs listed below.
- Google Desktop
- Picasa
- Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
- Google Pack Screensaver - a screensaver that displays pictures from the user's computers.
- Google Earth
- Google Talk
- Google Video Player (USA only)
- Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
- Spyware Doctor Special Edition
- Norton Security Scan
- Adobe Reader 7
- RealPlayer
- GalleryPlayer
- Skype
On March 27th, 2007, Google added two new programs to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Special Edition and Norton Security Scan.[4] These programs are free and do not require subscription, unlike Norton Antivirus.
Google says that they have no monetary agreement with the makers of the above software, and that they offer the programs for the ease of Google's customers, not for any financial reason(s).[5] In fact, Skype is actually a product in competition with Google's own Google Talk.[6]
- Trillian
- Norton Antivirus Special Edition 2005 - with 6-month subscription
Google Pack comes with Google Updater to assist in the downloading, installation, and updating of the programs. It is a mini "Add and Remove Programs" Manager, except that it only manages the programs that are a part of the Google Pack. If you uninstall the Google Updater all the programs part of the Pack will still be on your system and will not be modified. If you want to uninstall all the Pack programs either uninstall them from the Windows Add and Remove Programs or through the Google Updater Program.
- ^ [1]
- ^ ZDNet.co.uk Google Pack fails to impress. January 9, 2006
- ^ [2]
- ^ Google Pack cures the PC Blues, March 27th, 2007
- ^ How do you decide which programs are offered through Google Pack?.
- ^ MercuryNews.com Strong holiday sales bolster ebay earnings. January 25, 2007. (Article commenting on the inclusion of Skype in Google Pack)
Chairman/CEO: Eric E. Schmidt • Director/Technology President: Sergey Brin • Director/Products President: Larry E. Page • CFO: George Reyes
Other Directors: John Doerr • Michael Moritz • Ram Shriram • John Hennessy • Arthur D. Levinson • Paul Otellini • Shirley M. Tilghman • Ann Mather
Major products
Search (PageRank): Books • Code • Finance • Froogle • Images • Maps • News • Patents • Scholar • Trends • Video • Web
Advertising: AdSense • AdWords • Analytics • Checkout
Communication & Publishing: Blogger • Calendar • Docs & Spreadsheets • Gmail • Groups • JotSpot • Notebook • Orkut • Page Creator • Reader • YouTube
Computer Applications: Desktop • Earth • Pack • Picasa • SketchUp • Talk • Toolbar
Corporate information
Google acquisitions • History of Google • Privacy Issues • Google China • Google.org
Stock Symbol: (NASDAQ: GOOG), (LSE: GGEA) • Annual Revenue: 
US$7.14 billion (2006)
Employees: 10,674 (December 31, 2006) • Website: www.google.com