Google Desktop Media Server is Online
Google Desktop became more than just a hard drive search tool and widget provider Thursday when it included a Media Server plug-in to its software offering.
The Media Server software allows you to choose which of your media files already indexed by Google Desktop to stream. It also allows you to tie in your online photos from your Picasaweb account and any videos that appear in your YouTube channel. The media can then be streamed directly within your network to your media playing device.
Google Media Server is for Windows only and works as an add-on, or gadget, to the Google Desktop application. The gadget appears as a small window with only an on/off switch and a preference button. The admin interface is run through a local web host and can be controlled through your primary browser. Turn it on and Google will host a local server on your computer for access by any Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device. UPnP devices include media players, picture frames and game systems including Playstation 3.
Xbox 360 is excluded in the list because of a unfriendly restriction it has with non-Microsoft products. Hackers have already described how you can trick Google’s Media Player to show up on the game system.
You can download the media player online, from Google Desktop’s gadget libray or from Google’s website.
Google’s previous foray into streaming online content to the TV was a deal with DVR manufacturer and software provider Tivo. The deal allowed Picasaweb users to stream their online photos through Tivo’s DVR interface.
