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
7 first things you should do with the Google Fitbit Air
Tips and tricks The Google Fitbit Air is giving Whoop a run for its money as a screenless fitness tracker, and these tips help you make the most of it.
Google is giving a big credibility upgrade to AI overviews in Search
AI with trusted sources Google Search is adding Preferred Sources to AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Warnings about removed or unsupported Play Store apps could head to Android
Keeping you aware It was reported that Google is working on new warnings for apps that have been removed from the Play Store.
Two years later, Google appeals antitrust ruling for search: cites 'hard work' for top spot
Appealed Google reportedly submitted an appeal for a 2024 ruling that found it guilty of an "illegal search monopoly."
Can Google and Samsung redefine smart eyewear with Android XR, or will history repeat with a new generation of 'Glassholes'?
Editor's Desk Samsung's Android XR glasses are launching later this year, but let's hope Google can avoid another 'Glassholes' moment.
Original Pixel Fold suffers a display blackout that pins this patch as the culprit
Problematic Users with the first Pixel Fold are frustrated after recent Google updates have turned their cover displays unresponsive.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt booed after AI remarks at the University of Arizona
AI backlash grows The former Google CEO's AI comments during a graduation speech quickly turned into an awkward moment on stage.
The original Chromecast might finally be reaching the end of the road
End of an era Apps like YouTube and HBO Max are no longer detecting the original Chromecast for some users.
Wait—was that a Pixel 11 teaser? Theories are buzzing after Google's I/O
Teaser or not? Users online were buzzing, as they theorized that Google might've given the briefest teaser for the Pixel 11 at I/O 2026.
Android 17 catches up to Apple with a long-overdue cross-device upgrade
Ecosystem handoff Android 17’s new Continue On feature finally lets Android users seamlessly switch apps between phones and tablets, though Google is clearly playing catch-up to Apple.
Google I/O 2026 Live Blog updates: Android 17, Android XR glasses, Gemini AI news
Live Blog Google I/O is happening on May 19 and Android Central is following everything that is going to be announced. Follow our Live Blog to learn about all the news!
Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 is here, and it’s all about the boring fixes you actually wanted
Visuals take center stage Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 smooths out Pixel usability with polished UI tweaks, smarter defaults, and more blur effects.
Wear OS 7 officially revealed: Here are the biggest new features
Wear OS update Google has officially unveiled Wear OS 7 with Live Updates, improved battery life, and a brand-new widget experience for smartwatches.
5 important Gemini updates from Google I/O that could genuinely save you time
Gemini takeover From AI shopping carts to smarter Search and Gmail, Gemini is now deeply integrated across Google.
Google’s new $100 AI plan wants to turn Gemini into a full productivity machine
Upgrades across the board Google is turning Gemini into a premium AI ecosystem with pricier power-user tiers, smarter tools, and usage limits that now feel a lot like AI surge pricing.
Tired of video editing? Google’s Gemini Omni changes scenes when you ask
Conversational editing Google’s Gemini Omni turns AI video creation into a conversation, but while the tools look powerful, spotting what’s real online may soon get a lot harder.
Forget CamelCamelCamel: Google's new Universal Cart will track prices and find deals for you
AI x online shopping Google's new Universal Cart tracks prices, stock changes, and deals across multiple retailers automatically.
Google Play is getting a huge AI upgrade with Ask Play and Play Shorts
Play gets smarter Google announced a wave of Google Play updates, including Ask Play AI search, Play Shorts, and Gemini app discovery.
