Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Google Desktop (Beta) Comes to Mac

Google brought its Google Desktop to the Mac Wednesday, marking the first time the application has been available on that platform. The new release is still in beta form, though it is fully functional.

Google Desktop for Mac is a search tool used for locating files on a local drive. It's designed to augment, not replace, search capabilities built into Mac OS X, such as Spotlight and Find File. It indexes the complete contents of files on local drives, including text, PDF, HTML, mail messages (Apple Mail, Gmail, and Microsoft Entourage), iChat transcripts, Address Book contacts, preferences, and more.

On the Mac, Google Desktop is invoked by hitting the Command key twice in succession, though the keyboard shortcut can be customized. This calls up an interface similar to Spotlight that lets users type in search terms. Partial results are displayed on the fly; additional results are displayed through the default Web browser and are categorized by document type (Web history and media files, for example). Results can be sorted by date and relevance, and other results criteria can be customized as well.

Google Desktop for Mac also includes a System Preferences pane that allows users to set indexing and search results preferences.

The software is available now for Mac OS X 10.4 or later. Google Desktop for Mac is free.

Read More:

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • clock and neon light trails

    Don't Wait for the Clock to Run Out on Digital Accessibility

    Public universities with over 50,000 students face the looming April 24, 2026, deadline to comply with new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II standards. The urgency many feel is warranted: Implementation timelines are tight and the scope of compliance is extensive.

  • Businessman holding Chatbot with binary code, message and data 3d rendering

    Anthropic Criticizes OpenAI Ad Strategy

    Anthropic recently launched a multi-million dollar Super Bowl advertising campaign criticizing OpenAI's decision to start showing ads within ChatGPT.

  • Abstract speed motion blur in vibrant colors

    3 Ed Tech Shifts that Will Define 2026

    The digital learning landscape is entering a new phase defined by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, rising expectations for the student experience, and increasing pressure to demonstrate quality and accountability in online education.

  • glowing brain above stacked coins

    The Higher Ed Playbook for AI Affordability

    Fulfilling the promise of AI in higher education does not require massive budgets or radical reinvention. By leveraging existing infrastructure, embracing edge and localized AI, collaborating across institutions, and embedding AI thoughtfully across the enterprise, universities can move from experimentation to impact.