- The first Google toolbar was released in 2001, and featured several basic options designed to give frequent Google users access to the google search bar. In addition to the search, the first Google toolbar included pagerank functionality as well as the popular "I'm Feeling Lucky" search option. As the toolbar grew into its second and third iterations, more features were added, including one-touch access to Google-centric features like maps and images. The toolbar is now in its fifth form, and has included support for custom "gadgets" which sync with your e-mail, favorite websites, and provide access to your favorite content.
- The Google toolbar's biggest feature is it's search bar. This feature allows you to type any search term into the Google toolbar, and have instant access to search results without going through Google's main webpage. In addition to this feature, the Google toolbar has gadget buttons that allow you to see pop-up views of your chosen content (such as CNN or Wall Street Journal) These pop-up views stay on the main page, and allow you to browse pertinent content without opening up a new tab or window. The Google toolbar also allows instant access to your Gmail account, and has several options to directly send pages or links through Gmail without ever opening up the service directly.
- The Google toolbar has several benefits. It's customizable gadgets help compulsive surfers find content they want (news, stock information) without needing to open new tabs. It also provides instant email management if Gmail is your preferred client. In addition to these features, the Google toolbar also provides one-click maps, images and directions.
- The Google toolbar is very small in size and ranges from 900 KB to 1.2 megabytes (depending on the various options you set and the version that you download). The toolbar only takes about five minutes to download and install over a high speed connection.
- Although the Google Toolbar isn't natively compatible with Linux or Fedora, there is a way around this. If you have the Ubuntu interface and can run a 32-bit version of Mozilla Firefox, then you can still install the Google toolbar.
