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iGoogle

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iGoogle
Developer(s)Google
PlatformWeb browsers
TypeWeb Gadgets
Websitewww.google.com/ig

iGoogle (formerly Google Personalized Homepage and Google IG), a service of Google, is a customizable AJAX-based startpage much like Netvibes, Pageflakes, My Yahoo!, MySurfPad and Windows Live Personalized Experience. It was originally launched in May 2005. Its features include the capability to add web feeds and Google Gadgets (similar to those available on Google Desktop).[1]

It was renamed and expanded on April 30, 2007, and is currently available in many localized versions of Globle, in 42 languages, and in over 70 country domain names, as of October 17, 2007.[2][3]

Features

Gadgets

iGoogle gadgets interact with the user and utilize the Google Gadgets API. Some gadgets developed for Google Desktop can also be used within iGoogle. The Google Gadgets API is public and allows anyone to develop a gadget for any need.[4]

Google also allows all users to create a special gadget that does not require the use of the Gadgets API. The gadgets are designed to be shared with friends and family. The special gadgets must be created using an online wizard and must be of one of the following types:

  • "Framed Photo" - displays a series of photos,
  • "GoogleGram" - creation of special daily messages,
  • "Daily Me" - displays user's current mood and feelings,
  • "Free Form" - allows the user to input text and an image of their choice,
  • "YouTube Channel" - displays videos from a YouTube channel,
  • "Personal List" - allows the user to create a list of items,
  • "Countdown" - countdown timer
  • "1Club.FM Free Internet Radio Player" - allows users to play over 80 free internet radio channels

Themes

iGoogle with the Winter Scape theme.

With iGoogle, users can select unique themes for their Google homepages. Some of the themes are animated depending on weather conditions, the time in your area (you provide your location when selecting a theme), and so on. There are also Easter eggs for the themes—for example, in the "Sweet Dreams" theme, a Pi sign made of stars appears at 3:14 a.m. In the "Beach" theme, the Loch Ness Monster appears at 3:14 a.m. These last for only one minute. Other features include skies that lighten or darken throughout the day and the ability to include color-changing lady bugs, butterflies, or bubbles that float across the screen.

There are many other Easter eggs, which can be found here or by following the instructions here:

Artist themes

Starting in April 2008, Google began offering a choice of themes by professional artists. [5]

Experimental iGoogle

On July 8, 2008, Google announced the beginning of a testing period for a new version of iGoogle which alters some features, including replacing the tabs with left navigation, adding chat functionality, and a canvas-view gadget for RSS. [6] Users were selected for this test and notified when they logged in by a link to a brief description and further links to forums. On the forums, it was explained that there was no opt-out, as a Control for the test. Further, there was no information on how long the test would continue. Unfortunately, many were unhappy with the new version and the inability to opt-out.[7]

On October 16, 2008, Google announced the release of this new version of iGoogle and retired its older format. The release did not initially include the persistent chat widget. It does include the left navigation in place of tabs as well as a change to widget controls, however.[8] The stated purpose is to prepare for OpenSocial, with the new canvas view stated as playing an important role in that. [9]

On October 17, InformationWeek[10] reported "a vocal group of users" are unhappy with the changes. They point out that many users don't want change forced on them, and that this is a general problem with cloud software under a service provider's control.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Welcome to iGoogle". Retrieved 2008-07-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "iGoogle in 42 languages". Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  3. ^ "Google Web Search Help Center". Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  4. ^ "Google dubs personal home page 'iGoogle'". Retrieved 2008-07-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ iGoogle Artist Themes
  6. ^ Experimental iGoogle features
  7. ^ iGoogle personalises personal pages on other people's behalf
  8. ^ The New iGoogle, Publicly Launched
  9. ^ Big Canvas, Big Opportunity
  10. ^ "iGoogle Users iRate About Portal's Changes". InformationWeek. Retrieved 2008-12-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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