[Google] New Google Talk Gadget

Google, as of late, seems to be putting more focus on its Personalized Homepage recently by adding more social functions to their widgets called Google Gadgets such as allow users to share gadgets they like with friends or auto-populating a new tab with related gadgets based on the tab name.

Now Google has added something completely different - an official Google Talk gadget for the Personalized Homepage.

What's interesting to note is that it's not AJAX-driven, in fact it's Flash-based as opposed to Google Talk within Gmail which is HTML driven. Some of the initial reviews have people liking this new gadget more than alternative versions that can be found on Google Desktop or the Gmail version.

You can also previews YouTube videos and Picasa Web Albums directly within the gadget by just typing in the URL and hitting send. An interesting feature and the first time Google has allowed users to share online videos and photo albums within any of the version of its Talk application.

It does have limitations - you can't manage more than 4 conversations at once and I've noticed it tends to "float on top" of all other gadgets including its own gadget menu. This might interfere with other gadgets that trigger special pop-ups like the Google Reader Gadget depending on where you place the Talk gadget in relation to the Reader gadget. I find myself unable to click on the "X" button to close my Reader pop-ups because my Talk gadget is floating above it. Darn.

On the whole, it's a pretty robust application of sorts and it gives you an alternative place to use Google Talk. I'm just curious about the Call button they've placed on the UI which isn't clickable for me at this time - but will it be usable in the future, perhaps?

Only time can tell, really. Google has also created a fun little video (seen below) to walk users through the new features of this particular gadget. You can add the gadget to your homepage here or by visiting the main Google Talk page.



Related Links:

• Google Talkabout: Google Talk Gadget
  
• Webware: New Google Talk module better than desktop app
  
• Googlified: Google Talk Gadget
  
• Google Blogoscoped: Google Talk Gadget
  
• Google Operating System: Google Talk Gadget

[Google] The New Desktop 5

I still use Windows XP SP2. There's no shame in that. Of course this means I don't get all the bells and whistles the few Vista users are already enjoying, but I'm not rushing to upgrade just yet. There seem to be more woes than benefits this early in Vista's life.

Google's latest version of its Google Desktop have now become a positive step in the right direction for a Vista-ish experience. Version 5 (technically still in beta) brings significant enhancements for its sidebar from being a clunky tool to becoming a more stylish and robust application that remains highly functional but pleasing to the eye as well. This version also brings a lot of security enhancements to the table, one of the biggest concerns people have had about the application over the years.

I had tried the previous version of Google Desktop and had been unimpressed. The sidebar seemed to just get in the way and I didn't really see the need for a desktop search application. Now with all the blogophere buzz, I find myself happy that Google can now provide a viable sidebar alternative that I think I'm going to be getting used to in the weeks to come. Everyone was talking about it, so I figured it deserved a second chance.

Go on, try it out. I think you'll be surprised with the differences. Some folks are even considering replacing their Vista sidebars altogether.

Related Links:

• Official Google Blog: New and improved Desktop
  
• Inside Google Desktop: New sidebar and gadgets
  
• CNET News.com: Google Desktop 5 offers more gadgets
  
• Google Operating System: Google Desktop Gets More Serious
  
• Google Blogoscoped: Google Desktop 5 Released
  
• Googlified: A close look at the new Google Desktop 5

[Google] Gadgets for Everyone

By now, users of the Google Personalized Homepage would be familiar with the modules for the homepage that have come to be known as Google Gadgets. After Google opened up Google Gadgets so anyone could create one, there came to be an amazing number of these little tools amassed over at Google.

In time, these same gadgets were made available for other Google services like Google Desktop and Google Page Creator. So now what?

Today they've announced on the Official Google Blog that you can now have Google Gadgets for Your Webpage! Much like how you currently embed videos from the likes of Google Video and YouTube, you can now add your favorite Google Gadgets to any webpage you manage!

There are a variety of items you might want to try depending on your interests such as adding aWikipedia search box, or how about having Pac Man on your webpage? Or you can go for Google's suggestion and get yourself a pony if that;s your thing too! I am so loving this!

This is what Web 2.0 really means - total user interaction leading to new content and tools to be shared universally. Yes, for me Web 2.0 is directly linked to Open Source initiatives.

This is why I love Google.