Google Desktop 1.01 released, AP review

Google has released an update to the Mac version of its Google Desktop 1.01 desktop application. The new release addresses a number of suggestions for improvement, including faster re-crawl (by 20 percent), better memory use, and the handling of UTF-8 in Gmail. It will also display thumbnails for image files in the Web interface, and users can insert "datefrom:" and "dateto:" queries in the search field. Some issues remain outstanding; these include dramatic slowdowns during initial indexing, and the need for MailTags users to delete and reinstall the MailTags Spotlight importer.

In related news, a writer from the Associated Press has given a positive review of the application, with reservations. The program is described as a more "comprehensive" version of Spotlight, able not only to browse and index local files, but also Gmail messages and previously-visited websites. The app also saves earlier drafts of text documents, but there is no means of deleting old versions, even when the final file itself has been removed. The Mac software is also said to be deficient in privacy options, since users cannot pause indexing, or block specific websites from showing up in searches. Conversely, some files can only be indexed in the Windows version, such as Thunderbird messages. The one specific advantage to the Mac app is the ability to use partial keywords in a browser window.

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