The Google Deskbar
Google has a number of cool (and free) tools. The Google Toolbar for IE is well-known as a great way to add immediate searching and ad-blocking to the IE browser. Many people have not yet discovered Google's latest (and, IMHO coolest) tool yet - the Google Deskbar.
The Deskbar adds Google search to your Windows task bar and lets you conduct a search while in any program without having to launch a browser. Simply enter your search term(s), hit Enter and a small window slides up displaying the results. You can naviagte links in this window and, when you've found the page you were searching for, a click on the arrow icon in the upper left corner opens that page in a full browser window.
You can also type in math equations and get a result (no need to bring up the Windows Calculator accessory) and search Google News.
Very simple. Very elegant. Very cool.