Once upon a time it was only Apple that offered Mac users on-line storage, back-up protection and synchronisation. For 99 dollars or 99 euros a year, Apple would also bundle an integrated mail service and limited web hosting. This all sounded very attractive a few years back, but now Google have stepped into an arena in which Apple has failed to renovate, offering a wide range of tools and on-line programs that not only match Apple´s service, but do so at no cost at all to the Mac user.
These six tools for the Mac platform are only available to Google account holders. Once you have opened an account, your name and password will serve to access all the following services.
Gmail Notifier
With almost three gigabyte of on-line storage, a superb tagged archive system to store your mail, anti-spam filters and an integrated calendar and Chat tool, Google mail has been drawing a lot of users away from the .mac service. The Gmail Notifier can be found on the Google Labs page and is part of the Desktop Search toolbar. The Notifier informs you when new mail arrives as well as upcoming events and engagements on your Google Calendar.
Gspace
Although not a Google product, this FireFox add-on allows Gmail account holders to upload and store files on their three gigabyte Gmail account. Gspace works like a small ftp program and sits on the bottom of your web window from where it can upload, download or email a file to another user. One restriction is that file sizes are limited to 14Mb each upload.
I-Photo to Picasa Web Up-loader.
If you are looking for a place to store and share your photos on-line and want more space than that offered by Flickr, Google offers a web album called Picasa that gives 1gigabyte of free storage to account holders. What makes this specifically appealing to Mac users is the Picasa Web Up-loader tool. This small program works seamlessly with i-Photo enabling you to upload your chosen photos directly from within the program. You can create new albums as you upload or add to existing on-line albums, and it will even re-size the photos for you so they upload faster.
Blogger Widget
For writers using Google´s Blogger service,this widget is the fastest way to post up a new entry. Once downloaded and configured, it sits in Dashboard from where you can post up a blog entry directly without ever having to open your browser.
Google Video Player for the Mac
This Google Player allows account holders to upload and share videos of 100Mb or more; to download videos and - unlike YouTube that forces you to watch videos on-line - to view them off-line on your own computer.
Google Desktop Search for the Mac
Apple´s Spotlight has come under criticism for its live searching that begins as soon as you start to type - even before you have finished writing the word. Google offers an alternative Desktop Search that also looks through your Gmail account, web history and comes with full Google.com search integration.
Both Microsoft and Apple have been promising for years an operating system that is truly integrated into the World Wide Web, but it is Google that is launching the tools that look set to bring the revolution about. If you like the above mentioned programs, then you may want to look at the complete Google suit that now includes an on-line spreadsheet and word processor.
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