Google Desktop 2 Emerges From Beta

Google has removed the beta, or test, tag from the consumer and enterprise versions of its Google Desktop 2 application for indexing and finding information stored in PCs, the search technology company said Thursday.

The applications, which have been in open beta test, can be downloaded free of charge from Google. Available are both a consumer version and an enterprise version.

Google also launched on Thursday an official Web log for the Google Desktop product line.

New Maps, JavaScript Support

Enhancements include a brand-new maps section on the product's Sidebar information panel, says Nikhil Bhatla, a Google product manager.

The maps panel customizes itself based on the user's online activities. For example, if a user visits the Web site of consumer electronics chain Best Buy and looks for a specific store address, the maps panel captures the zip code and displays a map of that location, Bhatla says.

Also in the new version is support for JavaScript to write Sidebar plug-ins. As JavaScript is a simple scripting language, the added support will make it easier and faster for developers to create such plug-ins, he says.

Currently, more than 100 Sidebar plug-ins have been created, he says.

Unlike the consumer version, the enterprise version of Google Desktop has management and security features that IT departments typically require for rolling out and supporting desktop applications.