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Google Inc. on Monday moved its desktop search tool out of beta, formally launching version 1.0 with support for more browsers and file types and better protection of sensitive documents.
Available for free download, Google Desktop Search improves upon the beta version with the ability to search over the full text of PDF files and the meta-information stored with music, image and video files.
In addition, the software supports Firefox and Netscape browsers, as well as Thunderbird and Netscape e-mail clients. The search tool is also available in Chinese and Korean languages.
In formally releasing its product, Google jumps ahead of rivals Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc., which have similar free products still in beta. The companies, however, have taken slightly different approaches.
Microsoft's desktop search is part of its MSN Toolbar Suite, which also provides web search, a pop-up ad blocker and other capabilities. The tool is installed in Outlook, the Windows taskbar, Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer. Yahoo, on the other hand, is developing its tool through a partnership with desktop-search specialist X1 Technologies Inc.
America Online Inc. has announced plans for releasing a desktop search tool, licensing the technology from Copernic Technologies Inc. No release date has been set.
The interest in desktop search among the four web portal giants stems from the fact that most people looking to buy or research products on the web head to a search engine first, analysts say. Tying a person's PC to a shopping and entertainment portal through a desktop-search engine makes it more likely a shopper will start with that site.
The fact that Google is developing its product in-house while some of its other rivals are using partners indicates the level of importance Google has placed on desktop search, Whit Andrews, analyst for Gartner Inc. said. Using its own developers, Google can move quickly in adding features to meet changes in the market.
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