Google Pack
Encyclopedia
Google Pack was a collection of software tools offered by Google
to download in a single archive. It was announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show
, on January 6. Google Pack is currently only available for Windows XP
, Windows Vista
, and Windows 7. However, in 2011, Google Pack now directs users to the Google Mac software page if it detects that you are using a Mac.
In September 2011, Google announced it would discontinue a number of its products, including Google Pack. Google Pack is no longer available for download.
The software applications available vary based on which language and locale is selected, and operating system. The U.S. Windows XP version of Google Pack offers all of the current applications listed below.
On March 27, 2007, Google added two new applications to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition and Norton Security Scan. These programs are free and do not require subscription, unlike Norton AntiVirus. However, Norton Security Scan does not offer continuous protection against virus
es. Norton Security Scan scans the computer and identifies if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on it.
The program's functionality is similar to Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
.
Google says that they have no monetary agreement with the makers of the above software, and that they offer the applications for the ease of Google's customers, and do not receive payment, although Miguel Helft in his New York Times blog reported that an unidentified source stated that Google may pay Sun
for each copy of StarOffice
. , StarOffice is no longer part of Google Pack.
Google has included the VoIP application Skype in the pack, even though it is a competitor of Google's own Google Talk.
Some industry observers claimed that the release was little more than a collection of software "that Google's wrapped a rubber band around".
, Real Player, Skype
, but that is not longer the case.
to assist in downloading, installing, removing and automatically updating the Pack's applications. Updater can be uninstalled without removing the applications.
Google Updater may not reflect the most recent versions of all Google Pack programs. For example, , StarOffice 8 Update 9 was not provided through Google Updater, which displays no indication that previous versions are out of date. Sun Microsystems released Update 9, which includes six security related fixes, on December 10, 2007.
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
to download in a single archive. It was announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
, on January 6. Google Pack is currently only available for Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, and Windows 7. However, in 2011, Google Pack now directs users to the Google Mac software page if it detects that you are using a Mac.
In September 2011, Google announced it would discontinue a number of its products, including Google Pack. Google Pack is no longer available for download.
Available applications
Users can choose which of the following software applications to install. If the application is already installed, Google Updater checks to see if the user has the latest version and upgrades it, if necessary.The software applications available vary based on which language and locale is selected, and operating system. The U.S. Windows XP version of Google Pack offers all of the current applications listed below.
Google-branded
- Google DesktopGoogle DesktopGoogle Desktop is desktop search software made by Google for Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. The program allows text searches of a user's e-mails, computer files, music, photos, chats, Web pages viewed, and other "Google Gadgets"....
- PicasaPicasaPicasa is an image organizer and image viewer for organizing and editing digital photos, plus an integrated photo-sharing website, originally created by Idealab in 2002 and owned by Google since 2004. "Picasa" is a blend of the name of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, the phrase mi casa for "my...
, a photograph organizer and editor - Google ToolbarGoogle ToolbarGoogle Toolbar is an Internet browser toolbar only available for Internet Explorer and Firefox .-Google Toolbar 1.0 December 11, 2000:New features:*Direct access to the Google search functionality from any web page*Web Site search...
for Internet ExplorerInternet ExplorerWindows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year... - Google Photos Screensaver, which displays pictures from the user's computers
- Google EarthGoogle EarthGoogle Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
, an electronic globeVirtual globeA virtual globe is a 3D software model or representation of the Earth or another world. A virtual globe provides the user with the ability to freely move around in the virtual environment by changing the viewing angle and position. Compared to a conventional globe, virtual globes have the... - Google TalkGoogle TalkGoogle Talk is a freeware voice over Internet protocol client application offered by Google Inc. The first beta version of the program was released on August 24, 2005...
, an instant messaging and Voice over IPVoice over IPVoice over Internet Protocol is a family of technologies, methodologies, communication protocols, and transmission techniques for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks, such as the Internet...
(VoIP) application - Google Video Player, a multi-media player, now withdrawn
- Google ChromeGoogle ChromeGoogle Chrome is a web browser developed by Google that uses the WebKit layout engine. It was first released as a beta version for Microsoft Windows on September 2, 2008, and the public stable release was on December 11, 2008. The name is derived from the graphical user interface frame, or...
, a free web browser developed by Google
Mac Software
- Google Quick Search BoxGoogle Quick Search BoxGoogle Quick Search Box is an application launcher and desktop search tool developed by Google for Mac OS X computers. It allows users to search files, URLs, and contacts on their computer, as well as performing actions on the results....
- Earth
- Picasa for Mac
- SketchUPSketchUpSketchUp is a 3D modeling program marketed by Google and designed for architectural, civil, and mechanical engineers as well as filmmakers, game developers,...
- Notifier for Mac
- Picasa Web albums uploader
- Toolbar for Firefox
Third-party
- Mozilla FirefoxMozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
with Google ToolbarGoogle ToolbarGoogle Toolbar is an Internet browser toolbar only available for Internet Explorer and Firefox .-Google Toolbar 1.0 December 11, 2000:New features:*Direct access to the Google search functionality from any web page*Web Site search... - Spyware DoctorSpyware DoctorSpyware Doctor is a spyware removal product for Microsoft Windows developed by PC Tools.-Features:Spyware Doctor is a program which scans a computer for spyware, examining files on the hard drive, objects in memory, the Windows registry, and cookies, and then attempts to quarantine or remove...
with Anti-Virus - Adobe ReaderAdobe AcrobatAdobe Acrobat is a family of application software developed by Adobe Systems to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format . All members of the family, except Adobe Reader , are commercial software, while the latter is available as freeware and can be downloaded...
, a document viewer - RealPlayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
, a multi-media player - SkypeSkypeSkype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
, a VoIP application - Immunet Protect Antivirus
- avast!Avast!Avast! is an antivirus computer program developed by AVAST Software a.s. , a company based in Prague, Czech Republic. It was first released in 1988 although back then it was just a tool to remove the Vienna malware...
Free Antivirus - WebMWebMWebM is an audio-video format designed to provide a royalty-free, open video compression format for use with HTML5 video. The project's development is sponsored by Google....
for IE9
On March 27, 2007, Google added two new applications to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition and Norton Security Scan. These programs are free and do not require subscription, unlike Norton AntiVirus. However, Norton Security Scan does not offer continuous protection against virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
es. Norton Security Scan scans the computer and identifies if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on it.
The program's functionality is similar to Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is a freely-distributed virus removal tool developed by Microsoft for the Microsoft Windows operating system. First released on January 13, 2005, it is an on-demand anti-virus tool that scans the computer for specific widespread malware and tries to...
.
Google says that they have no monetary agreement with the makers of the above software, and that they offer the applications for the ease of Google's customers, and do not receive payment, although Miguel Helft in his New York Times blog reported that an unidentified source stated that Google may pay Sun
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
for each copy of StarOffice
StarOffice
StarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
. , StarOffice is no longer part of Google Pack.
Google has included the VoIP application Skype in the pack, even though it is a competitor of Google's own Google Talk.
Some industry observers claimed that the release was little more than a collection of software "that Google's wrapped a rubber band around".
Former third-party
- Ad-AwareAd-AwareAd-Aware is an anti-spyware and anti-virus program developed by Lavasoft that detects and removes malware, spyware and adware on a user's computer...
- GalleryPlayer
- Norton AntivirusNorton AntiVirusNorton AntiVirus, developed and distributed by Symantec Corporation, provides malware prevention and removal during a subscription period. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features include e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection.Symantec distributes the product as...
Special Edition 2005, which included a 6-month subscription - Norton Security Scan
- StarOfficeStarOfficeStarOffice, known briefly as Oracle Open Office before its discontinuation in 2010, is a proprietary office suite. It was originally developed by StarDivision which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999...
, a productivity suiteOffice suiteIn computing, an office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite is a collection of programs intended to be used by knowledge workers...
that includes a word processor and spreadsheet - Trillian
- Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
Version 3
A new version of the Google Pack has been launched. Initially the new version was missing some of the previous software such as Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
, Real Player, Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
, but that is not longer the case.
Google Updater
Google Pack comes with Google Updater as a package management systemPackage management system
In software, a package management system, also called package manager, is a collection of software tools to automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages for a computer's operating system in a consistent manner...
to assist in downloading, installing, removing and automatically updating the Pack's applications. Updater can be uninstalled without removing the applications.
Google Updater may not reflect the most recent versions of all Google Pack programs. For example, , StarOffice 8 Update 9 was not provided through Google Updater, which displays no indication that previous versions are out of date. Sun Microsystems released Update 9, which includes six security related fixes, on December 10, 2007.
External links
- Google Pack website
- About Google Pack