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
Pixel Watch 3 listing suggests minimal battery improvement
By Nickolas Diaz published
Minimal difference Information about the Pixel Watch 3's battery was discovered and only suggests minimalistic improvements.
Gemini now takes you straight to Google Maps navigation when you ask for directions
By Jay Bonggolto published
No more extra clicks Gemini now kicks off Google Maps navigation on Android phones when you ask for directions, all on its own.
Gemini makes an appearance in the Google Messages beta
By Brady Snyder published
AI messaging Google wants you to text Gemini using Google Messages, and that future is one step closer to becoming a reality. The feature is now rolling out to beta testers of the Google Messages app.
YouTube's latest experiment lets you jump to the best part of a video
By Jay Bonggolto published
smart scrubbing YouTube is trying out an AI feature that lets you skip to the most interesting parts of a video.
The regular Google Pixel 8 is getting Gemini Nano after all
By Jay Bonggolto published
there's a catch Google has confirmed that Pixel 8 users will get a sneak peek of Gemini Nano in the next Pixel Feature Drop.
Google's Gboard makes venting frustrations faster and simpler
By Jay Bonggolto published
quicker than ever Now, users can give feedback to the Gboard team effortlessly.
The latest Android 15 preview adds even more features for physical keyboards
By Jay Bonggolto published
keyboard upgrades Android 15 might include new accessibility features to make physical keyboards more user-friendly.
Circle to Search will roll out to more Android devices this week, including Pixel Fold and Tablet
By Brady Snyder published
At last Circle to Search, the new feature that lets users search areas of their screen by circling them, is confirmed to be coming to more Android devices this week.
Google says 97 zero-day vulnerabilities were exploited in 2023
By Jay Bonggolto published
a growing threat Google and Mandiant looked into the zero-day bugs revealed in 2023 and found that dozens were connected to cyberespionage groups.
Gemini could soon make an appearance on the Pixel Tablet
By Brady Snyder published
Gemini on tablets An unreleased version of the Google Search app for tablets contains references to Gemini, and the Pixel Tablet will probably be the first device to receive the AI assistant.
Google Chat finally picks up voice messages as its rollout begins
By Nickolas Diaz published
Speak now Google Chat has started rolling out voice messages to users on mobile.
Latest Android 15 preview shows new signs of a Bluetooth audio sharing feature
By Jay Bonggolto published
headphone party, everyone? It looks like the next version of Android might let you share your phone's audio with friends' headphones, all at once.
Google starts testing its AI overviews on the general public
By Nickolas Diaz published
Have you seen it? Google has been spotted testing its AI overviews on users outside of its SGE.
Google Messages spotted testing a much-needed change to sending photos
By Nickolas Diaz published
A little easier Google has started testing a new attachment page in Messages for users sending photos.
Alphabet, Apple, and Meta are under investigation in Europe for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act
By Steven Shaw published
DMA danger The three tech giants are being investigated for potentially failing to comply with new rules.
Google Maps is far and away the most popular navigation app, study finds
By Brady Snyder published
Best app? There are plenty of high-quality navigations apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze, but a new study found Google's option is nearly ubiquitous.
Google Wallet is making contactless payments more secure but more annoying
By Brady Snyder published
Unlock required Previously, users could make Google Wallet payments in small amounts without unlocking their device. Now, they'll need to unlock every time in select regions.
Pixel Fold and Tablet users get the old taskbar back with Android 15 DP2
By Brady Snyder published
More taskbar options When Google introduced the taskbar in Android 12L, it was a permanent fixture of the operating system. Though it was changed in Android 13, the option has re-appeared in Android 15 DP2.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android