Google Instant

[CalBear]

Anybody else seen this? Google search now instantly searches the web as you start typing. Just stop typing momentarily and results will come up. It's quite ridiculous how advanced their search is at this point. Based on the search results from temporary words, it also seems to be combing my chrome history (I'm not logged into my Google account), and probably using location-based information to tailor my search. Pretty cool, but get the tin-foil hats out!

What even qualifies as a search these days. In the old days of the web, you typed something into a field and it was local until you hit submit and a POST occurred. Nowadays, it's just a constantly connection. Type a partial word on Google and bam, you've got a search. Since Google likes to store everything, I'm sure they're storing every keystroke and correlating w/ IP or account. Many people don't care, but some people don't like the idea of more of their info being stored than necessary.

What do you guys think about this?

[ChrisTKHarris]

Welcome to the internet.

[Casual_Shooter]

Just noticed this about a minute ago while doing a search. While changing the keywords, the results updated automatically.

[i1800collect]

IMO, Google Instant is annoying to use.

Fortunately I rarely ever search from Google's home page. Use the search bar, use a bookmarked search keyword, or use a different search engine if Google Instant bothers you.

ETA: You can also just turn Instant off.



To the right of the search bar click "Instant is On/Off" and turn it off.

[CalBear]

Another interesting thing to note (this has been going on for a long time) for those who aren't aware, those google street view cars have wifi antennae on them, and they log mac addresses and link them to GPS location information. If you enable location data in Chrome, the browser will give Google your router's mac address and they will search their database.

I wonder if anyone has ever gotten into an internet fight with someone, obtained the person's mac address, spoofed the mac address on their router, and used google maps location tracking to find the person. It's a stretch, but I could see someone doing it. I've read many crazy internet retaliation stories.

[NSR500]

Yes, people have spoofed Mac addys and done reverse searches.

[sfwdiy]

Another interesting thing to note (this has been going on for a long time) for those who aren't aware, those google street view cars have wifi antennae on them, and they log mac addresses and link them to GPS location information. If you enable location data in Chrome, the browser will give Google your router's mac address and they will search their database.

I wonder if anyone has ever gotten into an internet fight with someone, obtained the person's mac address, spoofed the mac address on their router, and used google maps location tracking to find the person. It's a stretch, but I could see someone doing it. I've read many crazy internet retaliation stories.

Has it happened? Check out this article about a presentation a friend of mine gave at the Blackhat conference this year: http://blogs.computerworld.com/16663...our_girlfriend

--B

[chesterthehero]

http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&hl=en

its google without "google instant".. saddly there is nolonger (at this time anyway) the option to turn off google instant..

another option is to use the google toolbar ( http://www.google.com/toolbar/ff/index.html ) it has a search box which does not use google instant..


i HATE google instant..

[den888]

Yes, I noticed this also. Google (aka - "big brother") is getting very sophisticated (smiles).

[i1800collect]

http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&hl=en

its google without "google instant".. saddly there is nolonger (at this time anyway) the option to turn off google instant..

another option is to use the google toolbar ( http://www.google.com/toolbar/ff/index.html ) it has a search box which does not use google instant..


i HATE google instant..

Are you sure? The option is still there for me.