Google scores a solid 10 with its new Google Video Viewer. This thing removes a ton of friction in the use of Google Video. No download necessary: inline streaming. On the results page, an embedded Play button delivers a short excerpt of the full available video clip. Click the picture to view a dedicated page with a much larger video screen with slider control on the bottom. Beautiful, beautiful job. I've ripped Google Video for its weird emphasis on TV transcripts, but the usability jump with this viewer gets gold stars in my book. Or maybe I'm just in a good mood. Now, here's what we need— the ability to tear the player off the browser and float it on the desktop. [via SEW]

And by the way, Google Video is featuring a really substantial piece of content—perhaps its first: the pilot episode of Chris Rock's new TV show. has produced a 21-minute film inspired by his childhood experiences. Here's the direct link.