Google Startpage was finally updated this week with Canvas View. This also brings a better integration with Google Services within the Startpage and eliminates Tabs out of the equation thanks to Canvas View Enabled iGoogle Gadgets. the way it now loads up sections it is reminiscent of Delphi Forums navigation concepts. the difference is that it don`t load content in iFrame in the same way. it loads a canvas where content is called with Google Ajax Techniques. these are very much alike to what Google uses for Google Docs or Google Reader.
Why such a long time for evaluation then?. the iGoogle Gadgets. the Gadgets are now also able to get “canvas view†enhanced. this way you can call a Google Gadget and the Gadget will load up into full page. this is not so easy to archive because the services API`s from google have to work well with the iGoogle Canvas and the same goes for following Gadgets that adopt Canvas View. add this to the previous capabilities of been shareable and the future capabilities of being Social Graph infused or the new Gadgets to come once OpenSocial support is also added into iGoogle and i cannot help myself but to think that iGoogle Prime Gadgets (the once calling Google Services) will be now Gadget-apps given how they will be widgets that are infused with the site and not just a contained experience and that interact with the whole site as a result. they are turning into true Utility Modules. This means that it will be rare for a third party to produce better gadgets than the host. i do hope i am wrong and we get to see most iGoogle gadgets to be equal. but will not hold my breath awaiting for that happen.
Many Bloggers made the argument that when Google launched Chrome. they had not launched a browser but a “OS†said the extremists Over Optimistic or a Web OS in the most measured cases. such a thing is of course nonsense. at least not by its own. a Web OS needs to be integrated to Services and behave like a Desktop Utility while remain fully internet connected. I Think that iGoogle is now Google version of a Webtop and that the combination of it with Chrome is what can give you a Web OS. of course this is not the first time i say this. but i want to specify that i am only comparing that combination with a Web OS like G.ho.st or Goowy Webtop. nothing more.
New iGoogle Gadgets with Canvas View
You will need some new iGoogle Gadgets to check out the new Canvas View in your iGoogle Startpage. Google setup one with 16 featured iGoogle Gadget that can be added right away:
Right now the change is evolutionary but once it finally gets what it lacks and that it already has been hinted (Social Graph, OpenSocial, Interactive/Shareable and Gadgets enabled with such qualities for all Google Services) plus more Gadgets from Third Parties supporting it will be something truly excellent. that said. i know i am going to find myself using iGoogle a lot more because it finally is compelling to use as a power user. so anyone should give it a look and form its own opinion of it so they can be more critical of whatever Startpage service they are using so Google competitors get to feel the heat and improve accordingly.
Related posts:
