Google Inc. said today it plans to release a beta version of Google Desktop 2, the next iteration of its popular desktop search software for Microsoft Windows.
The new software aims to make search a more personalized experience with the inclusion of a Sidebar panel. The Sidebar features several miniapplications that return or retain information based on previous online activities. For example, the News panel displays links to news articles that are similar to ones you've read. The Web Clips panel automatically starts tracking RSS and Atom feeds from the Web pages you visit.
Other Sidebar panels include a Photo slideshow program that presents local and Internet photo sources (such as Flickr.com), an E-mail account monitor that works with Google's Gmail service among others, and a real-time stock price tracker. Additional panel plug-ins should be available over time as developers avail themselves of the Google Desktop APIs.
"We really want to enable people to just sit back and let the Web come to them," explains product manager Nikhil Bhatla, who likens the Sidebar to an intelligent agent.
Google Desktop 2 boasts expanded search capabilities, such as the ability to search network drives and Gmail accounts. It also returns search results from local files as soon as you start typing.
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