The Windows 8 apps are coming in thick and fast just now, and although you might not be much of a Skyper or Hulu Plus viewer, the chances are, you do use Google to channel at least some of your search queries. Indeed, "Googling" has become synonymous with the act of searching the web, and if you’re running / planning to install Windows 8, you’ll be pleased to learn the official Google Search app tailored to Microsoft’s new OS has just been launched.
Sure, once can easily use Internet Explorer 10 (or a browser of choice) to search, but, as it has done with the native iOS app, the Mountain View-based company is trying to infiltrate a rivaling operating system by tailoring the interface to suit the platform.
Whenever a new operating system is due, it’s always rather interesting to see which of the big companies have been developing their apps behind the scenes, and Google has gotten itself a bit of airtime by publishing its Windows 8-based search app in the Windows Store this early in the day.
As you’re probably more than aware, the Search charm in Windows 8 will churn out results from Microsoft’s own Bing search engine, but if you’ve become accustomed to Google and don’t want to have to make the switch, the Google Search app will have you covered. As per the Windows Store description, those downloading Google Search for Windows 8 can override the Bing service with the Google offering, with both text and images searches provided as standard. In addition, voice searches can also be processed, and links to the array of Web apps like Gmail, Maps and Google Drive will also be linked from the app.
Google has already played the Messiah by offering options to those stranded on iOS’s dire new Maps offering, so if you download Windows 8 and decide Bing isn’t up to standard, I’d suspect Google’s to be the best alternative out there.
Please note, however, that at present, it’s exclusive to Windows 8 and as such, doesn’t support Windows RT. Bit of a bummer if you’re planning to grab a Surface, but I suspect the touch-optimized app won’t take too long to arrive at the Windows Store.
(Source: Google Search for Windows 8 on Windows Store)
