Windows Phone Thoughts: Google Gunning for the Desktop Search Experience

"Internet search giant Google Inc. is looking to make inroads into the desktop with the rollout Thursday of its free Google Deskbar software, which allows Windows users to search the Web and applications without opening a browser. The Deskbar appears as a small inset window on the Windows toolbar and lets users perform searches without leaving desktop tasks as long as the computer is connected to the Internet. Keyboard shortcuts allow users to run queries, typing "Ctrl+Alt+G" to perform Google searches from applications, for example. There are also keyboard shortcuts for Google News, Images and the company's Froogle shopping comparison searches."

We've heard that Microsoft wants to make Internet-based searches function like they're local, and it seems so does Google. It will be interesting to see who eventually comes out on top here. Anyone taking bets?