Google Pack

Google Pack is a software package that allows users to discover, install, and maintain a number of application programs. It was announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, on January 6. Google Pack is currently only available for Windows XP and Vista.


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.[1]

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 Desktop
* Picasa, a photograph organizer and editor
* Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
* Google Photos Screensaver, which displays pictures from the user's computers
* Google Earth, an electronic globe
* Google Talk, an instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) application
* Google Video Player, a multi-media player, now withdrawn
* Google Chrome, a free web browser developed by Google


Third-party

* Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
* Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
* Norton Security Scan
* Adobe Reader 8, a document viewer
* RealPlayer, a multi-media player
* GalleryPlayer
* Skype, a VoIP application

On March 27, 2007, Google added two new applications to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition and Norton Security Scan.[2] These programs are free and do not require subscription, unlike Norton AntiVirus. However, Norton Security Scan does not offer continuous protection against viruses. Norton Security Scan scans the computer and identifies if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on it.[3] 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,[4] although Miguel Helft in his New York Times blog reported that an unidentified source[5] stated that Google may pay Sun for each copy of StarOffice. As of November 2008[update], 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.[6]

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-Aware
* Trillian
* Norton Antivirus Special Edition 2005, which included a 6-month subscription
* StarOffice, a productivity suite that includes a word processor and spreadsheet

Source