Google is a search company.
OK, Google started as a search company in 1998, when Sergey Brin and Larry Page were doctoral students at Stanford. And fifteen years later? Google is a verb. That's how ingrained it's become into our lexicon, as well as into our lives. If you want to know something, you "Google" it.
On August 10, 2015, Google became part of the umbrella company, Alphabet, with Sundar Pichai taking charge as CEO. The announcement came as a surprise to everyone when it was dropped on Google's blog by Larry Page.
Of course, Google is so much more now. It's an advertising company (which still provides the bulk of its revenue). It's a video-hosting company, with YouTube. It's a social network, with Google+. It's a mobile company, with Android. It's leading the wearables revolution with Google Glass and Android Wear. Google's making inroads into enterprise with its web-based infrastructures, to the point where municipal governments and private businesses alike are ditching the server racks for the cloud. It's seeking to change the way we use computers with its not-quite-a-thin-client Chromebooks.
And that was just the first 15 years.
Where will Google go next? That's a question many of us can't wait to see answered. And, understandably, it's a question many are wary of. Is Google too big? Is it too powerful? Does it know too much? Is it doing the right things for the right reasons? Or is it just trying to become as rich and powerful as it possibly can? Those are all fair questions, and ones that Google should ask itself, and ones that we as its customers should continue to it.
Latest about Google
A recent update just brought AV1 support to your Android phone
By Nickolas Diaz published
Smooth as silk Google confirmed that it has switched to a newer, more efficient AV1 decoder on Android.
Google just changed forever
By Andrew Myrick published
This is huge A weird time for such a dramatic change.
Google lays off more workers and fires protestors in tumultuous week
By Brady Snyder published
Deep cuts Google's persistent layoffs, which have been occurring on-and-off since January 2023, have hit at least three teams in the latest round of cuts.
Google announces major hardware and software reorg with AI at the center
By Nickolas Diaz published
Time for change Google announced that it has merged its Android and hardware teams to further its AI efforts.
Google Maps may soon use satellites even if your phone is offline
By Brady Snyder published
Off-grid updates Google is steadily preparing satellite connectivity support in Android, and the latest implementation of it will make Google Maps location updates more reliable off-grid.
Google preps mysterious Assistant feature for the Pixel Tablet
By Brady Snyder published
Hidden features Google appears to be working on a fresh way to interact with Pixel Tablets called "Look and Sign," and it appears to be related to "Look and Talk" on the Nest Hub Max.
Google's bullying is predictable, self-defeating, and barely justifiable
By Michael L Hicks published
C'mon Google Google will put California news orgs out of business and lobotomize its AI rather than lose a small fraction of its billions in Search ad revenue.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 reportedly spotted picking up its battery certification
By Nickolas Diaz published
A boost? The Pixel Buds Pro 2 reportedly appeared on two databases to receive its case certification.
Android's satellite SOS UI might look like this, a leak spills beans
By Nickolas Diaz published
Keep it steady Google's code seemingly spilled what users can expect from Android's satellite SOS UI.
YouTube eliminates a workaround to block ads on videos
By Brady Snyder published
Crackdown continues Google's quest to take down ad blockers circumventing YouTube ads is now affecting third-party apps.
Epic wants a judge to open up the Google Play Store for good
By Brady Snyder published
Changes coming? After a surprise victory in Epic v. Google last year, Epic Games' proposed injunction asks the presiding judge to change a few big things about how the Google Play Store operates.
Google wants to show all Android location-sharing settings in one place
By Brady Snyder published
Simpler settings Location sharing is a permission you'll want to keep track of, and this upcoming settings menu will consolidate and simplify things.
Google starts removing links to California news outlets ahead of proposed bill
By Brady Snyder published
Tougher searching Google doesn't want to pay the "journalism usage fee" that would be required by California's Journalism Preservation Act.
Pixel 8a shows up in recent UScellular device tutorials listing
By Vishnu Sarangapurkar published
Another Pixel leak With the Google I/O 2024 just around the corner, multiple leaks of Pixel 8a are showing up on the web. The latest one assures the launch is imminent.
Google designers detail the ongoing effort to revamp Fitbit app
By Brady Snyder published
A look inside Google shared an interview with the Fitbit UX team explaining the thought behind the app's Material You design overhaul.
Gmail's upcoming subscription manager will help alleviate your congested inbox
By Nickolas Diaz published
Kinda stuffy Gmail was spotted working on a new subscription management page to help users unclog their inboxes.
Google Chrome is getting a paid version with top-notch security features
By Jay Bonggolto published
Level up your security Google released a business version called Chrome Enterprise Premium with extra shields to block malware and keep your data safe.
Leaked Google Pixel 8a renders show off the phone in four colors
By Jay Bonggolto published
all too familiar Renders of the upcoming Google Pixel 8a just leaked, showing it off in four different colors.
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