Google Pushing Its Mac Software?

A Google-sponsored blog concerning the company's Mac development efforts appeared yesterday. In it, the writers (including Google's Mac project manager) express their mission objectives for creating Google's Mac software:

We're pretty serious about [our] mission, including the "universally accessible" part. It means making products that everyone can use including Mac users. We want to provide great products and services to the tens of millions of Mac users around the world, because it's the right thing to do, and because Mac users inside and outside Google demand it. That's why we've recruited some of the best, most passionate Mac people out there for a Mac Engineering team.

The post directs readers to a Google download page, where users can freely download 5 applications/add-ins or a set of Dashboard widgets.

Google's Mac-centric push comes as news and rumors of Apple collaboration are at an all-time high. Yesterday, Google made headlines when it announced it would be acquiring YouTube.com for $1.65 Billion in stock. Previous to that announcement, there was a rumor that Google was in talks with Apple to supply videos for Apple's upcoming "iTV" device.

Furthermore, last week it was discovered by website MacTelChat that iPhoto 6.0.5 had hidden Google Maps integration, possibly for future GPS-enabled features.

In late August, Google's CEO Eric Schmidt was named to Apple's board of directors, furthering the tie between the two companies.