April 22, 2013

2 min read

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Google Now Could Be Google's New Home Page

A Chrome browser extension and some code hidden on a Web site indicate that Google might replace iGoogle with a desktop version of Google Now

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A Google-made extension appears to port Google Now beyond Android via Chrome.

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Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

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A Chrome browser extension and some code hidden on a Web site indicate that Google might replace iGoogle with a desktop version of Google Now.

The unconfirmed report on Google Operating System, a blog that's not affiliated with Google, highlights code on a Web page that it says Google uses to test new features. In this case, the code calls out "Google Now" in instructions on what the new features do.

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The code also contains an introduction to Google Now: "Get started with Google Now. Just the right information at just the right time." Google Now debuted last year as a personal assistant that also offered predictive search in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Google revealed last summer that its previous customizable home page, iGoogle, would be shut down on November 1, 2013. iGoogle launched its Google-flavored combination of search and widgets in 2005 to compete with My Yahoo.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CNET will update this story when we hear back.

There are other indications that big plans are afoot for Google Now. Along with the call-outs hidden in the test page's HTML, Google has built a Chrome desktop extension that opens Google Now as your "new tab" page. Its default language is set to Russian, but it is verified in the Chrome Web Store as coming from Google.

Co-founder and CEO Larry Page also gave a shout-out to Google Now in last week's quarterly earnings call, as sure a sign as any that Now won't face the dreaded Google service death-by-neglect anytime soon.

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