Google Desktop - Release History

Release History

Google Desktop was originally developed to bring Google search technology to the desktop. Google Desktop received much attention because it may allow reverse engineering of Google's proprietary search algorithm.

A centrally administered version, which integrates the user experience with the vendor's appliance, exists as well. Google Desktop was officially discontinued on September 14, 2011.

Microsoft Windows

• The first release of Google Desktop Search was released as a beta version on October 14, 2004.

• Version 2 was released as a beta version on August 22, 2005. The new feature that distinguishes Desktop 2 from Desktop is the addition of Sidebar, a panel that displays personalized information, which can be placed on either side of the Windows desktop and can display real-time news, e-mail, photos, stocks, and weather, among others. Sidebar includes a search box that can search just the PC or Google's other search types (like Web, Images, News, Groups.) Google Desktop 2 graduated from beta on November 3, 2005. New features include a sidebar plug-in for Google Maps and more plug-in developer support.

• Google Desktop 3 Beta was released on February 9, 2006. It includes support for searching multiple computers on a network. Google Desktop 3 graduated from beta on March 14, 2006. Notable in this version is the quick search box, which appears anywhere on your desktop after pressing "control" twice.

• Google Desktop 4 Beta was released on May 10, 2006. It features Google Gadgets, modules that can deliver an array of information. It also introduces option to automatically remove deleted files from search results. Google Desktop 4 graduated from beta on June 27, 2006.

• Google Desktop v4.5 was released on November 14, 2006, adding a transparency aesthetic to the sidebar and "floating" gadgets. The graphic interface of the sidebar was also enhanced with more stylized icons for news, stocks, weather, photos, etc. Release 4.5 also added support for Windows Vista.

• Google Desktop 5 Beta was released on March 6, 2007.
• Google Desktop v 5.1 (the first post-Desktop 5 Beta release) is made available for download on April 27, 2007.
• Google Desktop v 5.5 was released on October 2, 2007.
• Google Desktop v 5.5 (5.7.0802.22438) was released February 29, 2008.
• Google Desktop v 5.5 (5.8.0806.18441) was released July 1, 2008.
• Google Desktop v 5.8 (5.8.0809.08522) was released September 11, 2008.
• Google Desktop v 5.8 (5.8.0809.23506) was released October 5, 2008.
• Google Desktop v 5.9 (5.9.0906.04286) was released July 8, 2009. It added support for the Chrome browser and is the last version mentioned in the release notes.
• Google Desktop v 5.9.0909.02235 added support for the Private Browsing features of Firefox 3 and Internet Explorer 8.
• Google Desktop v 5.9.0909.30391 has been released.
• Google Desktop v 5.9.0911.03589 has been released.
• Google Desktop v 5.9.1005.12335 was released in May 2010.
• Google Desktop was discontinued entirely in September 2011.

Mac

• On April 2007, Google released Desktop 1.0 for Mac OS X, which can function alongside the Spotlight search tool in Mac OS X v10.4.
• On November 29, 2007, Google released Desktop v1.4.0.826 beta for Mac OS X, which plugs into Dashboard for Gadgets support.
• Version 1.6 of the Mac version of Google Desktop does not function under Snow Leopard. As of June, 2011, Google is yet to release an update for Snow Leopard support.

Linux

• Google released Desktop 1.0 for Linux on June 27, 2007. It currently features the basic functionality of the Windows version and the sidebar functionality.
• Google added 64-bit support to the Google Desktop for Linux with version 1.1.1.0075, which was made available for download on December 18, 2007.
• Google Desktop for Linux version 1.2.0.0088 was released on April 11, 2008.