» Google Pack: A bundle of free software

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Google Pack: A bundle of free software

Google Pack is a free bundle of software that was launched Friday. Google’s idea is to offer free, safe and useful software that improves the user experience online and on the desktop.

Whatâ€™s inside?

Some of the programs included in Google Pack are Google software, others are free software packages from other companies.

According to Googleâ€™s press release, you can choose between these programs:

Adobe Reader 7
Ad-Aware SE Personal
GalleryPlayer HD Images
Google Desktop
Google Earth
Google Pack Screensaver
Google Talk
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition
Picasa (for finding, editing and publishing images)
RealPlayer
Trillian (Identity management tool)

Central to Google Pack is the Google Updater, a new tool that downloads, installs and maintains all the software in the Google Pack.

Once installed, it will let you know when updates and new programs become available. Google Updater can also be used to uninstall software.

At this time it is only available for Windows XP.

Why?

Now, why would Google go to the trouble of developing a bundle of free software?

According to Marissa Mayer, Vice President of search products and user experience at Google, the pack was developed to give users a way to painlessly install all the essential software they need in a matter of minutes.

That seems all very philanthropic, but keep in mind that one of the things Google does best is making money by giving things away for free.

If Google Pack becomes popular, it will bring new types of users to Google. And because the bundle includes Google Toolbar and Google Desktop, this in turn means more searches and more money for Google.

In his article about Google Pack and Google Video Store John Batelle sees this double launch as a sign that Google is starting to act like what he calls a Really Big Company.

Batelle writes that Google is now out to diversify revenue streams, leverage and consolidate core strengths, and protect vulnerable flanks.

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