Google shoots to snap up image market

Google has released free file management software tailored for digital images.

'Picasa 2' is based on technology developed by Picasa, which Google acquired in 2004.

The software has a full suite of features, including image editing, secure file transfers over a network, printing and CD burning, plus integrated support for Google's Blogger application.

Picasa 2 differs from most other image management systems by automatically cataloguing all new files as they are added to a user's PC.

This works in the same way as Google's general-purpose desktop file management system, released last year.

Automatic cataloguing was a feature Microsoft touted for its Longhorn operating system, due in 2006.

Microsoft has since ditched plans to include this with Longhorn, citing complexities that would delay the new OS. Mac OSX supports automatic file cataloguing.

Picasa 2 is current a free download, available from www.picasa.com/index.php?tid=Y2NpZD0zNzAx