What's new in iGoogle 2.0? Check out this review!

For a while we've know that Google were testing a new version of iGoogle. It had been available to a select number of users and developers.

But yesterday, the Google Operating System blog posted a way that everyone can have the new iGoogle page TODAY. I've got a full review but first details on how you can start using iGoogle 2.0 today.

// How can I start using iGoogle 2.0? //

From the Google Operating System blog:

Quick tip to access the new iGoogle:
- go to google.com/ig
- paste this in the address bar:
javascript:_dlsetp('v2=1');
- to go back to the old version, paste in the address bar:
javascript:_dlsetp('v2=0');

Full review after the jump!

// iGoogle 2.0 - THE REVIEW //

One of the first things you'll notice using the new iGoogle is that horizontal tabs have been replaced with vertical tabs. Previously you could have lots of different iGoogle pages (each with different themes) that have different content on each. For instance, a tab for social networking sites, a tab for news and a tab for Google services. You can still do this, but it is much easier to navigate.

All tabs are lised down the left hand side (I'm not sure if different themes will enable this to be moved?). Each tab has the individual components listed underneath it.

The main page for each tab houses all the components on one page (as with version 1.0 & see picture above) but now clicking an individual component on the left hand site will take you to an individual page for that component.

For instance, in this example, clicking the 'BBC News' RSS feed component brings up a page almost identical to Google Reader.

This turns out to be a great addition. For ages I've wanted to be able to view RSS in iGoogle without having to navigate away.

The view of the RSS feed is just borrowed from Google Reader. You can use all the same features available in Google Reader. One great thing is that the keyboard shortcuts in Google Reader STILL WORK in iGoogle's version of Google Reader.

Another great addition is the ability to click the drop down arrow (featured in the picture) and access all your Google Reader subscriptions complete with any folders you've set up, number of unread items, starred items and shared items.

These nice touches will mean you read all your news straight from iGoogle. It may even make me switch back from Bloglines.

The new look of Gmail in iGoogle 2.0 is equally as good as Google Reader. Just as with Google Reader, iGoogle borrows the Gmail interface and transfers it straight into iGoogle. The big difference is that you won't see your labels - but you might prefer the cut down interface.

You can compose mail, mark items read or unread or archive items. It all seems to work exceptionally quickly too - quicker than Gmail itself.

When composing an email you'll be pleased to know that iGoogle will automatically find email addresses as you start to type them, as Gmail does currently.

Adding the Google Maps gadget brings (unsurprisingly) Google Maps into iGoogle. However much of the functionality of the real Google Maps is lost.

iGoogle Maps allows you to search for a location which is then displayed on the map but currently it seems that satellite view and terrain view are not available. I did see some instances where traffic view was available but StreetView is not.

It is also not possible to get directions with this version of Google Maps - only find the map of a destination. Google Maps search results are incorporated though, so searching for 'hotels London' does return a list of local businesses near that destination (but the sponsored results are not).

Google Talk can also be incorporated into iGoogle with the addition of the Google Talk gadget. The contacts list can be 'popped' out as can individual conversations.

// iGoogle 2.0 - THE VERDICT //

All in all this version of iGoogle is much better than the last. The additon of full screen components (Gmail, Google Reader) is an excellent one which makes the prospect of people using iGoogle as their home page EVEN MORE likely.

I seriously will conside moving from Bloglines back to Google Reader for this - the ability to read feeds without ever leaving my home page is a very welcome addition. The introduction of vertical tabs (as oppose to horizontal ones) makes it much more attractive to add more gadgets. In addition, this new version is meant to feature more social networking features - which could be great (or annoying!). It will be interesting to see what new features/gadgets devlopers can come up with as a result of this new version.

So try it out for yourself. Let us know what you think of the new version. If you enjoyed this article, why not subscribe to Bloggle for more of the same content!

Comments

[Stephen Arnold]

Thanks for the post. I linked to you and added a comment about the "containers" technology that may be underpinning some of the changes to "ig". The item is here: www.arnoldit.com/wordpress and it will post on July 20, 2008.

[Dave Shaw]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your comment. I'll certainly take a look at that post once it's out.

[Håkan Nilsson]

Hi!

I agree with you - this new version shows great promise. With that I don't mean that there isn't room for improvements or that everything just looks great - but promising.

Speaking of improvements ;) I have recently posted an article with some suggestions for improving the Gmail gadget in iGoogle. You can find it at: http://www.dithings.com/2008/08/10-improvements.html

Regards,

Håkan