Google Docs Desktop Gadget

Google Docs has launched a gadget for Google Desktop which allows you to search and open your Google documents from your Desktop. You can also drag and drop documents to upload them to the web. Presumably Google continues to nudge its way into the Desktop in order to displace its rival Microsoft from its domination in this market.

Google Docs works well in a fast-paced work environment because you can create and share documents freely without worrying about saving them to your machine, passing around email attachments, and of course, finding them later. However, there are times when we just need to bring up the same few documents continually throughout the day. Some examples are a data entry spreadsheet, a technical manual, or that steamy romance novel you've been secretly penning during work hours. You can instead bring up the gadget and, in an instant, search and open your Google documents (hint: pressing the shift key twice brings up all your hidden Desktop gadgets).

Another handy feature is drag-and-drop uploading of files. Let's say you have a dozen documents you'd like to upload and convert to Google Docs. We'll make the claim that it is easier and faster to drag the files onto the gadget, rather than uploading them one at a time.

From the Official Google Docs Blog: Access Google Docs from your Desktop