iGoogle

iGoogle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A screenshot of iGoogle with default gadgets
Developer: Google
Platform: Web browsers
Genre: Web Gadgets
Website: http://igoogle.com/
iGoogle (formerly Google Personalized Homepage) is a customizable homepage originally launched in May 2005. Updates include the capability to add web feeds and Google Gadgets (similar to those available on Google Desktop).

It was renamed and expanded on April 30, 2007 and is currently available in several localized versions of Google: U.S., Australia, India, Canada, the U.K., Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Mexico, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Russia, Denmark, Ireland and Brazil.[1]

Contents [hide]
1 Features
1.1 Gadgets
1.2 Tabbed pages
1.3 Themes
2 Compatibility
3 References
4 External Links

Features

Gadgets
iGoogle supports the use of specially developed "gadgets" to display content on a users page. The gadgets interact with the user and utilise the Google Gadgets API. Some gadgets developed for Google Desktop can also be used within iGoogle. The Google Gadgets API is public and allows anyone to develop a gadget for any need.

Google also allows all users to create a special gadget that does not require the use of the Gadgets API. The gadgets are designed to be shared with friends and family. The special gadgets must be created using an online wizard and must be of one of the following types:

"Framed Photo" is a gadget type that can display a series of photos,
"GoogleGram" is a gadget type that allows the creation of special daily messages,
"Daily Me" is a gadget type that allows the user to express your current mood and feelings to others,
"Free Form" is a simple gadget type that allows the user to input text and an image of their choice,
"YouTube Channel" allows the user to pull videos directory from a YouTube channel,
"Personal List" allows the user to create a list of items,
"Countdown" allows the user to create a countdown to a specific time.

Tabbed pages
iGoogle allows the user to create an unlimited number of tabs, allowing users to split their gadgets up, thus only showing certain gadgets at a certain time.

Themes
iGoogle with beach theme.With iGoogle, users can select unique themes for one's Google homepage. Some of the themes are animated depending on weather conditions, system time, and so on.

Compatibility
Most common Web browsers are able to view iGoogle. Its interface makes use of the JavaScript client-side scripting language, so users who run browsers without Javascript support will not be able to use iGoogle.

References
^ Google Web Search Help Center. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.