In a move that represents something of a departure from its usual tendency to simply create a beta of a new function and let it stand for time immeasurable, search giant Google has launched its new site, Searchmash.

Searchmash (that’s searchmash.com for anyone who really wants to check immdediately) is simpler still than the standard Google page. A stripped down, grey and white affair, Searchmash offers users the ability to check out “Popular searches”.

Beyond that Searchmash uses technology reminiscent of Gmail to prompt users with simple messages, including instructions that change based on how far along the (admittedly not all too complicated) task of entering a search.

It’s nice to see Google playing with new ideas outside the Google umbrella, but whether or not Searchmash exists purely as a place to test out features before they see addition to our current Google search is yet to be seen.

For now though, you can check out Searchmash,
here.