Google Tests A New iGoogle Interface

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Google’s iGoogle is one of the frequently visited properties of Google. iGoogle is a great startup page, where you can have hundreds of gadgets and get all the latest updates on one page.

The new iGoogle places tabs on the left-hand side of the page for easy access and has the main gadgets in the right-side in columns. Google has also added a chat feature, so as you browse the various gadgets you can also chat with your friends and share information.

Another important feature: You can view stories shared by your contacts in Google Reader, see the latest activity of your friends (updates about their new blog, new video and other information, like you see in Friendfeed.com, for example), check the latest photos uploaded to Picasa Web Albums and more.

Googlesystem.blogspot.com New iGoogle Interface image:41237:0::0

To get the new version, just fill out a Google sandbox application (it only requires basic information) and you can immediately see the new iGoogle interface.

To see the various gadgets click “add stuff” and to have different themes click “Get artist themes” at the top of the iGoogle page.

It also has a “Canvas” view; instead of rows and columns like those you see in the picture above, you will only see rows of gadgets like those in the Google Reader.

In the future, Google plans to convert iGoogle into a social site via OpenSocial, allowing you to check out all the social activities of your friends on one site.