Google has launched a beta of a free collection of applications, including some from other vendors, to help users download, install and maintain software to use the internet more effectively.

The new Google Pack - available here - is primarily aimed at consumers, but experts said it could also raise the search giant's profile within enterprises.

Google Pack was launched at the International Consumer Electronics Show and its tools include Google Earth satellite imaging software, the Google Talk instant messaging application, Google Toolbar for web browsers and Google's desktop search software.

The pack also features Mozilla's Firefox web browser, a version of Norton AntiVirus software from Symantec and Adobe Reader 7.

Google Updater, also included, is a new tool that will download, install and uninstall, and maintain all the software in the Google Pack, ensuring each program is up to date by alerting users when new updates become available, according to the company.

Mike Davis of analyst Butler Group said the announcement shows that Google is trying to challenge Microsoft's dominance of the desktop, both at home and in the enterprise. "A few years ago people were taking technology home from work, but [more recently] this has reversed, with things like instant messaging starting in the home environment and then moving to the office," Davis said. " If X million people have a free packet of software that can be automated, updated and supported, and it is not in the corporate environment, there will be a push for change [so it can be used] at the enterprise level."

Davis added that Google's announcement would raise the profile of the company's brand and alter perceptions that it is solely a provider of search functionality.
However, David Bradshaw of analyst firm Ovum said Google Pack does not offer any applications that cannot already be downloaded from the internet for free, except for the Norton software.

"Google is marking time [with this release]," Bradshaw commented. "It had to announce something in the software domain so it put together [this bundle]. Everyone expects it to launch something to challenge Microsoft but this isn't it."