Google: Vista SP1! Vista SP1! Vista SP1!

Google has managed not only to help shape the first service pack for Windows Vista but also to force Microsoft to admit that the beta for the refresh will be made available before November 12 2007. Still, the Mountain View search giant revealed that it was far from content with the changes Microsoft announced for the Vista desktop search mechanism concomitantly with SP1. In this context, Google filed a request to be permitted to intervene in the Microsoft-Department of Justice antitrust case. The initial filing by the Mountain View-based company was denied by Judge Collen Kollar-Kotelly, and Google was not allowed to share its view on whether Windows Vista's built
in desktop search functionality was violating the antitrust consent decree or not.

However, Google is not prepared to go down without a fight, and a new filing on behalf of the search giant was presented to the court, offering an "important and useful perspective" on the building process of Windows Vista SP1. "As the developer of a major desktop search product and the company that brought the desktop search issue to the attention of the plaintiffs, Google has familiarity with the issues raised and is well positioned to provide information to the Court. Google worked with the plaintiffs for an extended period of time to ensure that Microsoft's violation did not go unaddressed, and nothing in Google's request for leave to participate as amicus curiae (friend of the court) is inconsistent with the plaintiffs' fundamental role in enforcing the Final Judgment, as confirmed by the fact that none of the plaintiffs opposes Google's motion," reveals a fragment of Google's filing, courtesy of SeattlePI.

Essentially, Google is not satisfied with the volume of information Microsoft produced in relation to how it will shape the desktop search mechanism in Vista SP1 in order to accommodate third party rival products, including Google Desktop. The Mountain View search giant complained over the speedy way in which the remedial measures were dealt with and the lack of specific details.

"For instance, in the conversation with counsel referenced in Microsoft's opposition, Microsoft's counsel indicated that he did not know whether Microsoft will continue to hardwire its own "quick results" for all purposes when users search from the Start menu. This is an important question in determining the extent to which Microsoft's remedial measures bring Vista into compliance," Google added in the filing.