Google steps boundaries with Google Pack

At CES 2006, Google Inc accounced the release of Google Pack. Google Pack is nothing new or innovative, just a collection of software packages bundled together. The idea behind Google Pack seems to be to let users download a bundle of software packages (regardless of whether they need it or not) by downloading a single package.

Google is marketing Google Pack as a "free Software Package" that "offers users One Stop to Discover, Install and Maintain a Wide Range of Essential PC Programs."

One of the funniest parts of the press release was that Google Public Relations people forgot to change the year on their press release template. Hey, its 2006 now. The dateline on the press release read,

"CES, LAS VEGAS, Nev., January 6, 2005 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)"

Seems like Google needs some people to double check their press releases. It makes them seem like a dumb company that outsources their press releases and then the press releases are published without any proof reading. Not something to be expected from a company that claims to have hired the "smartest brains" on earth. But then, PR is the area where IMHO, Google has always been seriously lacking.

My rant about professional PR aside. Marissa Mayer, VP of search products reportedly said, "We've heard from countless new computer owners that it can take
days or weeks to install all the software they need to make their
computer useful. We developed Google Pack to give users a way
to painlessly install all the essential software they need -
pre-configured in a sensible way - in a matter of minutes. Better yet,
users don't have to keep track of software updates or new programs
- we maintain and update all the software for them."

Now, I don't know about you but to me, this is a big bologny that "it can take days or weeks to install all the [f*cking] software they need to make their computer useful."

Excuse my frankness, but what kind of an idiot do you have to be that it will take you days to download a handful of free software?


Now the scary part:

Google Pack also includes Google Updater, a new tool that intelligently
downloads, installs and maintains all the software in the Google Pack.
Google Updater alerts users when updates and new programs become
available and ensures each program is always up-to-date. Google Updater
can also be used to monitor the status of installation, run software
that's been installed, or easily uninstall software.

Users can easily select which programs they want to install. For
programs already installed on a computer, Google Updater checks whether
the latest version is running. If not, Google Updater will install the
latest version.

Every program included in the Google Pack is free, has earned a
reputation for excellence, and was evaluated to ensure it meets
Google's Software Principles. Google respects users' rights to
control their own computers and does not include software that is
spyware, generates pop-ups, or that is difficult to uninstall.
Additional information on Google's Software Principles is available
at http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/software_principles.html.
"

Whatever Google. You are just trying to shove your software by bundling it with a few other packages, something that most seasoned users DON'T like. If I want to download Real Player, I can do so myself. You don't need to freaking shove it on my computer. No thanks, I'll pass on that.


Expect Google to start ripping people off by charging a fee to include their software in Google Pack. After all its a company that will sell itself for anything. Go look at the ads they show when you search for [Google]. All ads are crap, but the company markets them as "highly relevant" and useful to the user. Go F*** yourself.

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Frankly Speaking
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google google pack google installer
google+updater CES

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