In Google’s Press Day event Google announced two products that I’m quite excited about. (Om Malik has a more complete description of the press event and SearchEngineWatch has a list of the slides presented.)
One is Google Trends. It will give you the ability to track your own Google search trends. Want to see the trends in UMPC searches? Or Tablets? Or Mac Tablets? You’ll be able to do so with Google Trends. I thought the presenter’s description was terrific: “Google Trends is like giving you the keys to Zeitgeist.” Google Trends is live here. For kicks, compare the search history of “UMPC” to “Origami Project.” Notice how much more “Origami Project” is English language biased. (You’ll find when using Google Trends that a lot of words don’t have enough search volume to make its index (such as InkGestures), but the service still is very cool. I love how they place associated news event along the timeline. Check out the trends and news events for Windows Vista, for instance. Another cool feature: Compare two searches by separating terms with commas. Try “Windows Vista, OS X“)
The other new product that knocked me off my chair is Google Notebook. Think of it as a repository of information you’ve found online. With Google Notebook you’ll be able to drag and drop web page contents, type notes, shuffle saved contents. There’s also talk of a plugin, but I didn’t quite catch its scope. It doesn’t take much to imagine a huge mashup developer story here. Google Notebook will go live next week on Google Labs.
OK, if you’ve been reading this blog, you know I have a keen interest in seeing ink in the browser. Google Notebook begs for ink. (Other services do too, however, as I’ve contemplated the best way to showcase ink I’ve been thinking in terms of a browser-based notebook app. Looks like Google Notebook has created a core for this. I hope an API follows.)
In fact, after watching Google’s Press Event and seeing where they are going with Google Notebook and their desktop Gadgets, I’m ten times more excited about getting ink in the browser. I’m so much hoping that Google builds and enhances their APIs to make it possible.
What timing….someone just asked in the Press Event if Google was going to enhance their developer community efforts. Larry says “No”, but it might happen. Eric extends the comment by saying they’ll do what makes sense and that there’s a debate underway in the company. I’m biased, I hope they do enhance their developer story.
One last thing: In the press event Google management is indicating that Google is going to try to be more transparent–the “open” Q&A with press was one example–I hope it extends in their developer directions too.
Hi Loren,
I have compiled a massive list of Google Trends to help spark debate, creativity and hopefully further development of this fun little tool. Please check it out when you get a chance:
Google Trends List