WebProNews » Google Pack

Avast Software Added To Google Pack

Doug Caverly — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:25:47 +0000

At least in certain parts of the world, Google has revised its approach to connecting people with security products. Avast Free Antivirus is now included in eight different versions of the Google Pack bundle of software.

Try to download Google Pack in Czech, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish, and you’ll see Avast’s logo among symbols for Chrome, Google Earth, Picasa, and a handful of other things. This endorsement should help Avast Free Antivirus Version 5 find its way onto more than a few new computers.

Of course, the odd thing is that Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus, and not Avast’s product, is still recommended to anyone who takes a look at Google Pack in English. Whether this is because the change is experimental or Google’s been caught mid-rollout is hard to say.

Or perhaps Google’s just really trying to split hairs with regards to what security software is most effective in different markets.

It’s likely that the adjustment represents some form of payback, though. Alex Chitu, who wrote about it, also noted, "In December, Avast’s blog announced that the software will offer users the option to install Google Chrome."

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Going Home For The Holidays? Google Wants To Tag Along

Doug Caverly — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:19:29 +0000

As people return home this holiday season, there will be all sorts of hugs and "have you had enough to eat"s. Then they’ll be pressed into service, lifting heavy stuff or perhaps climbing ladders. And Google would very much appreciate it if visitors install the company’s software, too.

A new post on the Official Google Blog about "unofficial tech support" isn’t blatantly self-promotional at first. Jeffrey Chang of the Google Chrome Team wrote, "[T]o ensure your family is getting the most speed and security out of their web experience, you can help your family upgrade to the latest version of Google Chrome, Firefox 3.5, Opera 10, Safari 4, or Internet Explorer 8 – just to name a few modern browsers."

It’s a good bet that readers of the Official Google Blog are more inclined than the average person to use Chrome, though.

Then we get into an almost comical advertisement. Chang continued, "You can also check out Google Pack, a collection of free Google and third-party software that’s ready to use in just a few clicks. From anti-virus software to keep a computer more secure and voice applications like Skype to help you keep in touch once you leave, to Google applications like Google Earth (where you can track Santa over Christmas), Google Pack’s applications help your family get the most out of their computer."

Ah, well. Google’s doing plenty of good, making it hard to blame the search giant too much for pushing its mostly useful offerings.

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Get to Google Docs, Calendar, and Gmail From Your Desktop

Chris Crum — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:59:30 +0000

You can now install desktop icons for Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Gmail on your computer for quick access. These icons are now an option of Google Pack.

If you are unfamiliar with Google Pack,it’s a free collection of software from Google and other companies. The software in the Google Pack helps you browse the web faster, remove spyware and viruses, organize your photos, and more. Learn more about each of the programs in the Google Pack.

"We think that you should be able to access your favorite web apps with the same ease and simplicity as desktop applications," says a post on the Google Docs Blog. "Today, we took one small step in that direction."

Initially, this seems like a fairly minor announcement, but increasing the convenience of using services like Gmail, Docs, etc. could go a long way toward pushing even more users into the cloud. Combine that with Google’s 99.9% uptime guarantee on such services, and they probably start looking more attractive to non-users.

Official Description Of GDrive Discovered

Doug Caverly — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:43:46 +0000

While there’s still no telling when – or even if – GDrive will be released, there’s fresh evidence that the product exists in some form of development. It looks like Google may be close to presenting GDrive to the public, too, as the evidence amounts to an official product description.

Brian Ussery went digging into a file in the Google Pack bundle of software and found a mention of GDrive under the heading "Online file backup and storage." The block of text then continues, "GDrive provides reliable storage for all of your files, including photos, music and documents," and "GDrive allows you to access your files from anywhere, anytime, and from any device - be it from your desktop, web browser or cellular phone."

This appears to confirm long-circulating rumors about both the purpose and abilities of GDrive. What’s more, there wouldn’t be much point in having all of the flowery language stuff finalized if GDrive is only limping along in some basement lab.

So is GDrive ready for release? Well, who knows. But since another section of the same file describes GDrive as part of Google Pack and thanks the reader for downloading and installing it, it again looks like we’re getting close. Anyone on the cusp of buying a new hard drive or other storage device might want to just hold off for another few weeks.

Hat tip goes to Alex Chitu.

Google Modifies AdSense Referral Changes

WebProNews Staff — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:03:57 +0000

Feedback to Google’s proposed alterations to the AdSense referral program resulted in some modifications being made.

Criticism met Google’s proposed changes to the program. Publishers located in countries disallowed from netting AdSense referrals complained about being penalized despite having referrals come from visitors located in North America, Japan, or Latin America.

Google disclosed an adjustment to the proposed plan in response to the feedback they received. Said the AdSense blog:

The changes to referrals promoting AdSense will now depend on where your users are located, regardless of your location as a publisher. You’ll earn $100 for every user you refer to AdSense who is located in North America, Latin America or Japan when they generate $100 in AdSense revenue within 180 days and they remove all payment holds. You’ll no longer be paid for users you refer who are located elsewhere. These changes will go into effect the last week of January.

Google will also change a couple of other referrals. Google Pack referrals that used to generate up to $2 will only return up to $1 starting the third week of February. During the same week, Google plans to reduce referrals for Firefox when those referrals come from China.

Microsoft to Offer Google Pack Alternative

Andy Beal — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:22:09 +0000

BetaNews has details of Microsoft’s plans to offer a Google Pack alternative, complete with useful programs such as Windows Live Messenger and Live Mail Desktop.

Called Windows Live Essentials, the program also features a new application called Windows Live Dashboard. The Dashboard would show the user what Live programs are installed and what is available for download.

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Andy Beal is an internet marketing consultant and considered one of the world’s most respected and interactive search engine marketing experts. Andy has worked with many Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, CitiFinancial, Lowes, Alaska Air, DeWALT, NBC and Experian.

You can read his internet marketing blog at Marketing Pilgrim and reach him at andy.beal@gmail.com.