Announcing Google Tools: Mail, Docs, Calendar, Analytics & Reader In One Place

Google Tools is a free Applet you can download right now from the App Store. This new Applet adds several new features to Really Useful Web Apps that integrate with several services provided by Google. Google Tools is a great example of what Really Useful Web Apps is all about - An add-on package that adds numerous new features to the software that enhance the existing functionality of the software, as well as adding some great new features -

New Dashboard Widgets

If you're a dashboard fan, Google Tools adds four new options to the Dashboard Widget Catalog, (located under "Add Content" on your Dashboard). Each of these widgets can be placed on the Dashboard multiple times, which means if you run more than one Google account (e.g. via Google Apps) you can place dashboard content for each of your accounts.

Google Mail Widget

Simply shows any new mail from your inbox. Clicking on new items will redirect you to www.gmail.com within the Really Useful Web Apps browser.

Google Calendar Widget

Shows the next two week's events from you Google Calendar.

Google Documents Widget

Shows a list of your documents, clicking on them will launch the editor within Google Documents. Additionally, a new Context Menu option is added to Project Explorer, allowing you to easily upload supported documents from your project to Google Documents.

Google Analytics Widget

This solves a massive problem in Google Analytics - seeing statistics from multiple sites in one place. Once you provide add the Analytics widget, you will be prompted to select the website you want to see statistics for, and then make a selection from a range of statistics available from Google Analytics. This allows you to build up a tailored view of key statistics from your websites.

Google Reader Integration

Under the "View" menu you'll now find a new option to launch Google Reader within Really Useful Web Apps. Once open, you can read feeds from your account within the software, items you read are synchronized with your Google Reader account to track what you've read.

Authentication to Google

All of the features in Google Tools require authentication, and so you will be prompted for your login details as needed. Once you provide your login details, they are securely encrypted and saved on your hard drive to prevent you having to re-enter them.

Get It Now

Head to the App Store to download Google Tools now. If you're new here, you'll need to download Really Useful Web Apps (free) first and create a free account to login to the App Store.