Criticized Google Toolbar now out of Beta

Dave Winer reports that Google's Toolbar is now officially out of beta, and that the release version includes the oft-maligned AutoLink feature. When a toolbar user clicks the AutoLink button, the toolbar modifies the content of the Web page displayed to hyperlink street addresses to Google's mapping feature, tracking numbers to delivery status pages, Vehicle Identification Numbers to vehicle history services and ISBNs to Amazon.com pages. Winer, an early critic of the feature, called it a "slippery slope," and said he expects Google to release more content-modifying technology soon.

Google officials have defended the feature as user-initiated and spoofed critics of AutoLink in an April Fool's Day gag.