It seems like Google is trying to take over the world.  While it isn't exactly true that Google is trying to take over the world, it would definitely seem like it were true if you were to go by Google's track record of business ventures and acquisitions.  Just recently, Google made their latest move to continue its dominance as an Internet and computer software magnate.  Google acquired a proprietary desktop environment software called BumpTop.  Although there is no news of exactly what Google plans to do with this acquisition, you can bet that the company will truly make it something special.  To learn more about the acquisition and what BumpTop is, continue reading.

What is BumpTop and how is it used?

If you're an avid computer user, then you have probably encountered times when you wish that your computer desktop could be better integrated, easier to navigate, and perhaps even operate much like your actual work desk.  Well, a man named Anand Agarawala felt these same feelings and set out to do something about it.  As his Masters Thesis at the University of Toronto, Agarawala created the desktop environment called BumpTop.  BumpTop is a three-dimensional virtual desktop with amazing graphics and functionality.  Your icons and files are made to look like three-dimensional objects on your desktop, in effect, making your computer desktop look, feel, and function much like an actual, real-world desk.  Pick up and move your files and folders, organize them into projects, and customize your virtual desktop environment to what you have always desired.  Perhaps the best thing about BumpTop is the multi-touch support.  BumpTop is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Google's acquisition of BumpTop

On April 30th, BumpTop announced that the company would be going in a new direction, and it would soon cease to offer downloads, updates, and support for BumpTop.  On May 2nd, the company made athe following announcement on their homepage:  "We're excited to announce that we've been acquired by Google! This means that BumpTop (for both Windows and Mac) will no longer be available for sale. Additionally, no updates to the products are planned."

You can still download BumpTop from http://eol.bumptop.com/download.php until May 7, 2010, but after that you'll either have to download it from other sources or wait to see what Google does with it.  Currently, there are no official announcements as to what Google is going to do with this acquisition, but it's safe to say that you can expect a lot.  Just imagine a 3D desktop environment with perfect integration of Google apps, and you may have a good picture of what Google may be heading toward with this acquisition.  Who knows, we may even get a Google operating system!