Google X

NetRyder

Tech Junkie
Joined
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Today is an amazing day: A small idea - a fun late-night coding jaunt to help me learn Javascript & DHTML - has just launched on Google Labs. I never expected it to make it as far as it has when I wrote it a month ago, especially since my "real" job is working on Keyhole, where I'm having the time of my life taking our cool 3D mapping application and putting the power of Google behind it. It's fulfilling to have the opportunity to reach the audience we always dreamed of when we started Keyhole five years ago, and that by itself is absolute coolness.

And now there's Google X, which came about because I wanted a quick fun way to access all of Google's services. I gave it to a few friends in the company, who gave it to their friends, some posted it on their blogs, others sent it around on mailing lists, and it eventually made its way to Marissa Mayer, who liked it enough to say, when do you want to put it up on Labs? So after some spit and polish from some enthusiastic Googlers and the keen eye of the UI team, Google X is here. I hope all of you enjoy it - especially Mac users, who I'm sure will appreciate its lineage.

Chikai Ohazama
Software Engineer
From: GoogleBlog
View: Google X

Looks like someone at the Googleplex was bored... :D
 
Interesting .. not sure if it's something I would use everyday though in place of the default google .. perhaps if the icons didn't magnify?
 
It's been taken off for some reason now. Anyone have a screenshot because I didn't get a chance to see this.
 
Grandmaster said:
It's been taken off for some reason now. Anyone have a screenshot because I didn't get a chance to see this.

25096188517736064fx.gif
 
Are the icons supposed to function like the dock in OS X? If so, that's quite cool.
 
Looks interesting... why was it removed?
 
muzikool said:
Looks interesting... why was it removed?

Legal action from Apple maybe? I'm guessing something to do with Apple, as this did put Google in a positive light, so I doubt Google took it off.
 
Grandmaster said:
Are the icons supposed to function like the dock in OS X? If so, that's quite cool.
Yeah, they magnify when you hover over them.
As Xie said, it was interesting, but not something I would use in place of the current look. There's something strangely appealing about the plain and simple default look. :)
 
big mistake from apple...they were getting millions of dollars in free ad

starting to not like them
 
perris said:
big mistake from apple...they were getting millions of dollars in free ad

starting to not like them
Not a fan of Apple myself, but I think we should wait for an official statement from Google (or Apple) before entertaining speculations and jumping to conclusions.

The site could have been taken down for a multitude of other reasons that might have nothing to do with Apple at all. Who knows? Let's wait and see what happens.
 
If they don't protect their rights, then anyone can start doing what google did for their own websites, and then what? They did not protect it once, they can't say it is theirs for one, and give the other free way to do what it wants. It is business.

Google would have done the same thing, hell, it is doing the same thing with Booble.com (Porn search engine). Microsoft would have done the same thing, but there is almost nothing i'd want to replicate on a website that is in Windows or any of the other Microsoft software, in-such we have not seen lawsuits yet, but if they come out with something cool, and someone mimics it in some way, i don't doubt that Microsoft would send a cease and desist letter, and threaten legal action.
 
If you check the bottom of google labs page they have this note ...
Please note: These technologies are still in the beginning stages of development, so they may disappear without warning or perform erratically. If something's not working on this page, please come back and try it again later.

*edit* - This line from that google blog probably didn't help any ...
I hope all of you enjoy it - especially Mac users, who I'm sure will appreciate its lineage.
 
NetRyder said:
Looks like someone skipped reading quite a few posts. :D
As always.

Anyway, with regards to Apple requesting a C&D because it looked similar to a dock, I doubt it. There's a fair few sites/apps/everything out there which mimic OS X, and they've not been wrist-slapped for doing so, many of them are very old (so it's not like they're new/un-heard of).

I really wish that people wouldn't extrapolate so much these days.
 
ObjectDock??
Surely that shouldnt exist should it if the C&D is true
 
Always makes me wonder why Apple killed Y'z Dock but allowed ObjectDock to stick around.
 

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Also Hi EP and people. I found this place again while looking through a oooollllllldddd backup. I have filled over 10TB and was looking at my collection of antiques. Any bids on the 500Mhz Win 95 fix?
Any of the SP crew still out there?
Xie wrote on Electronic Punk's profile.
Impressed you have kept this alive this long EP! So many sites have come and gone. :(

Just did some crude math and I apparently joined almost 18yrs ago, how is that possible???
hello peeps... is been some time since i last came here.
Electronic Punk wrote on Sazar's profile.
Rest in peace my friend, been trying to find you and finally did in the worst way imaginable.

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