Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will take you to Google's site, where you can select the apps you'd like to install. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
CNET Editors' review
Google Pack is another useful idea from those nearly ubiquitous, ever-industrious Google folks. The Pack takes a bunch of disparate but essential programs, tosses in the entirety of the Google desktop suite, then loads and automatically updates all of them as future changes are made. A pre-installation checklist lets users opt in or out, and the program is flexible enough to allow users to change their choices easily after installation.
The latest version adds options to download Google's browser, Chrome, in addition to or instead of Mozilla's Firefox with Google Toolbar. From Google's repertoire come Earth, Desktop, Talk, Picasa, Photo Screensavers, and the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer. There's also Skype, RealPlayer, Adobe Reader, Spyware Doctor Starter Edition, and a six-month subscription to Norton's Security Scan. StarOffice, a suite of word processing and spreadsheet tools, and Ad-Aware have been nixed from previous versions.
It's encouraging to see a range of programs being offered, though it would be nice to see Google Pack, which is a not-so-subtle Googlification of the Microsoft Windows Updater, cover a wider range of applications. Shockwave and Flash would be good places to start, as would QuickTime or a good, freeware FTP program.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Pack is a free collection of software from Google and other companies. The software in the Google Pack helps you browse the Web faster, remove spyware and viruses, or organize your photos.
Google Pack also takes the hassle out of downloading, installing, and updating software. You can download and install the entire Google Pack in just a few clicks. And the included Google Updater helps you discover new programs and keep your current software up to date. The latest version of Google Pack adds the Google Chrome Web Browser.
What's new in this version: The latest version of Google Pack adds the Google Chrome Web Browser.
More Products to Consider
-
Increase your connection speed and recover broken downloads.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download and convert videos from video streaming sites.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download YouTube videos and convert to multiple formats.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Extract music from YouTube movies as MP3 files.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download and convert Youtube videos to AVI, MP4, 3gp, MOV, WAV ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download free videos from YouTube, Google, Yahoo, Facebook.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download and manage torrent files.Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeLEGAL NOTICE: This link will take you to a third-party website. Downloading copyrighted materials without authorization or providing others with copyrighted materials for them to download without authorization may put you at risk for legal action under copyright law in the United States and other countries. CNET discourages the use of software for any unlawful purpose
Sponsored Products
-
Download YouTube videos and accelerate downloads.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Share files over the Web, and connect to and search through mul...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeLEGAL NOTICE: This link will take you to a third-party website. Downloading copyrighted materials without authorization or providing others with copyrighted materials for them to download without authorization may put you at risk for legal action under copyright law in the United States and other countries. CNET discourages the use of software for any unlawful purpose
Sponsored Products
-
Share files over the Web, connect to, and search through multip... -
Download video and music from YouTube.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Share files over the Web, and connect to and search through mul...Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeLEGAL NOTICE: This link will take you to a third-party website. Downloading copyrighted materials without authorization or providing others with copyrighted materials for them to download without authorization may put you at risk for legal action under copyright law in the United States and other countries. CNET discourages the use of software for any unlawful purpose
Sponsored Products
-
Avoid annoying pop Windows from your internet sessions.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download and convert any YouTube video into your favorite forma...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Share your files between partners and boost group activities.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Download Google images in batch mode.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Keep connected and update your Twitter status directly from Out...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Manage your file downloads on your Windows PC.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Save Google search results.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Analyze your search history with Google, Yahoo, and MSN on your...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Explore the Web with the beta channel version of Google's speed...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Communicate with Google Translate Engine through console or DLL...Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Download social music or video for your Windows PC.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Monitor the changes of IP and update them on DNS.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install
-
All versions:
3.3 starsout of 29 votes
-
Current version:
3.7 starsout of 3 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-3 of 3
-
"Decent pack of essentials"
Version: Google Pack beta beta
Pros
Dig the Spyware Doctor and the fact it gives a few basics new users need like skype and Google Earth
Cons
Real Player and Adobe, c'mon, really?
Summary
Totally download this, luckily it allows you to opt out of installing Realplayer and other "meh" items.
-
"Quality control, please"
Version: Google Pack beta beta
Pros
Cramming a bunch of essential programs into one pack is a decent enough idea, I suppose, since it will save some time hopping from website to website to acquire them.
Cons
Real Player and Adobe Acrobat. I do not understand why Google would pimp these awful, bloated, garbage programs when there are superior, lightweight versions available. Perhaps Google should make their own lightweight .pdf reader and media player.
Summary
Google's unofficial slogan may be "don't be evil", but that apparently does not prevent them from rendezvousing with evil companies. Perhaps if Google would implement some third-party quality standards or require these companies clean up their act first.
-
"Looks very easy to use"
Version: Google Pack beta beta
Pros
Looks very easy to use
Cons
Looks very easy to use
Results 1-3 of 3
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
