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Google Pack is a software package that allows users to discover, install, and maintain a number of application programs. It was announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, on January 6. Google Pack is currently only available for Windows XP and Vista. The release puzzled some industry observers, as it appeared to be a collection of unrelated software.^{[1]neutrality disputed}

Available applications

Users can choose which of the following software applications to install. If the application is already installed, Google Updater checks to see if the user has the latest version and upgrades it, if necessary.^[2]

The software applications available vary based on which language and locale is selected, and operating system. The U.S. Windows XP version of Google Pack offers all of the current applications listed below.

Google-branded

• Google Desktop
• Picasa, a photograph organizer and editor
• Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
• Google Photos Screensaver, which displays pictures from the user's computers
• Google Earth, an electronic globe
• Google Talk, an instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) application
• Google Video Player, a multi-media player

Third-party

• Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
• Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
• Norton Security Scan
• Adobe Reader 8, a document viewer
• RealPlayer, a multi-media player
• GalleryPlayer
• Skype, a VoIP application
• StarOffice, a productivity suite that includes a word processor and spreadsheet

On March 27, 2007, Google added two new applications to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition and Norton Security Scan.^[3] These programs are free and do not require subscription, unlike Norton AntiVirus. However, Norton Security Scan does not offer continuous protection against viruses. Norton Security Scan scans the computer and identifies if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on it.^[4] The program's functionality is similar to Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Google says that they have no monetary agreement with the makers of the above software, and that they offer the applications for the ease of Google's customers, and do not receive payment,^[5] although Miguel Helft in his New York Times blog reported that an unidentified source^[6] stated that Google may pay Sun for each copy of StarOffice.

Google has included the VoIP application Skype in the pack, even though it is a competitor of Google's own Google Talk.^[7]

Former third-party

• Ad-Aware
• Trillian
• Norton Antivirus Special Edition 2005, which included a 6-month subscription

Google Updater

Google Pack comes with Google Updater as a package management system to assist in downloading, installing, removing and automatically updating the Pack's applications. Updater can be uninstalled without removing the applications.

Google Updater may not reflect the most recent versions of all Google Pack programs. For example, as of January 2008, StarOffice 8 Update 9 was not provided through Google Updater, which displays no indication that previous versions are out of date. Sun Microsystems released Update 9, which includes six security related fixes, on December 10, 2007.^[8]

References

External links

• Google Pack
• About Google Pack