The Google search engine homepage has always been known for its minimalistic design, not overloaded with superfluous elements. However, this may change soon. Google is currently testing widgets that can be placed at the bottom of the main page of the desktop version of the search engine.
9to5Google, which has already tested the new feature, reports that a “Hide Content” toggle appears in the lower right corner of the Google homepage. The lower left corner displays the user’s location, as well as a notification that the information offered is based on the user’s previous activity on the Web.
These cards appear at the very bottom of google.com. There’s a “Hide content” toggle in the bottom-right corner, while Google notes your zip code/city and explains that the information offered is “Based on your past activity.” When the window is fully expanded, six cards are offered and they all expand on hover:
When the Widgets feature is active and the browser window is on full screen, the user is get six card widgets that expand when hovering over them. Users got the following six widgets:
Gizchina News of the week
- Weather: Condition (with) icon + temperature. Three-day forecast on hover
- Trending: Cover image with search count
- What to Watch: Shows and movies with cover art
- Stocks/markets: Day graph on hover
- Local Events: With date
- COVID News
It is worth noting that widgets are not currently available for all Google accounts. The company is likely testing the new feature and collecting feedback on it before deciding to roll it out in full.
Google sued for $2.4 billion for antitrust violations
The PriceRunner price comparison service recently accused Google of violating antitrust laws in force in the European Union; and filed a lawsuit with the Swedish Patent and Market Disputes Court; in order to recover $2.4 billion from the American company, Bloomberg writes, citing data from PriceRunner representatives.
According to the applicant, Google manipulated search algorithms to promote its own product comparison services, causing damage to competitors. PriceRunner believes that the tech giant’s anti-competitive practices led to the service suffering losses; which it intends to recover in the course of the current trial.
“It’s also a matter of survival for a lot of European entrepreneurs and tech job opportunities;” added Mikael Lindahl, chief executive of PriceRunner.
PriceRunner, soon to be owned by Swedish fintech Klarna Bank, said the final amount of the lawsuit could be “significantly higher” as Google is still violating antitrust laws. Representatives of Google refrain from commenting on this issue.
