Google Pack was a collection of software tools offered byGoogle to download in a single archive.[1] It was announced at the 2006Consumer Electronics Show, on January 6. Google Pack was only available forWindows XP,Windows Vista, andWindows 7.
In September 2011, Google announced it would discontinue a number of its products, including Google Pack.[2] Google Pack is no longer available for download.
Users could choose which of the following software applications to install. If the application was already installed,Google Updater checked to see if the user had the latest version and upgraded it, if necessary.[3]
The software applications that were available to download depended on the language, locale, and operating system.
In March 2007, Google added two new applications to the Google Pack: Spyware Doctor Starter Edition and Norton Security Scan.[4] These programs were free and did not require asubscription, unlike Norton AntiVirus. However, Norton Security Scan does not offer continuous protection againstviruses. Norton Security Scan scans the computer and identifies if there are existing viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on it.[5]The program's functionality is similar to Microsoft'sWindows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
Google has stated they have no monetary agreement with the makers of the above software and they offered the applications for the ease of Google's customers. They didn't receive any payment for providing the software pack,[6] althoughMiguel Helft in hisNew York Times blog reported that an unidentified source[7] stated that Google may paySun for each copy ofStarOffice. StarOffice was no longer part of Google Pack since November 2008.
Google has included the VoIP application Skype in the pack, even though it is a competitor of Google's own Google Talk.[8]
Some industry observers claimed that the release was little more than a collection of software "that Google's wrapped a rubber band around".[9]
Google Pack came with Google Updater as apackage management system to assist in downloading, installing, removing, and automatically updating the Pack's applications. Updater could be uninstalled without removing the applications.[10]
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