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
Google unveils an AI model that lays out its thought process clearly
mind of AI The experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model breaks down its thought process step by step.
Google might gift Chrome enhanced AI detection for scams and data siphons
Stay ahead This AI detection feature in Chrome might help users when browsing online.
Google Photos plans to bring a quicker editing mode to its share menu
Edits are good Google Photos was spotted adding a "Quick Edits" option in its share menu.
How to use the Gemini app on Android
Using Gemini Do you want to know how to use the Gemini app? See how easy it is to use the app with these beginner-friendly tips.
Google Contacts tipped to make your video calls a much quicker process
One tap and you're chatting Google might make the video calling process in Contacts much better.
Gemini update brings 2.0 Flash Experimental model and Google Home, Photos extensions to iOS app
Major Update Google is bringing a handful of Gemini for Android features to the iOS app, including Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental.
Gmail now uses a new AI model to try and fend off holiday scams
Dodging scams Google is warning its more than 2.5 billion Gmail users that now's the worst time of the year for scams — here's what you need to know to protect yourself.
Android 16 Developer Preview 2 is here with battery life and performance upgrades
Early look Android 16 is dropping early, and you can already check out some cool new features.
Google ditches the Play Store's easy 'Share apps' in new System version
Well... links still exist Google detailed its recent Play Store update, which says goodbye to a sharing function.
Gemini 2.0 Experimental Advanced is Google's best AI model yet, and it's available now
latest and greatest Gemini Advanced subscribers can try Gemini 2.0 Experimental Advanced, offering "significantly improved performance on complex tasks."
You can now talk to AI podcast hosts in Google's NotebookLM
NotebookLM's redesign NotebookLM just made it possible to have convos with AI podcast hosts.
Files by Google has a new PDF viewer, and it's ditching Google Drive
Fresh look Google Files previously used Google Drive for PDF viewing, but it now has a native viewer with streamlined sharing options.
A MediaTek modem could make or break the Pixel 10 — Google can’t screw this up
Risky move The latest reports indicate that Google could be switching from Samsung to MediaTek modems — here’s what that will mean for the Pixel 10.
ChromeOS M131 bolsters user security with 'Back to Safety' alongside Flash alerts
A little gift Google has started rolling out ChromeOS M131 for Chromebooks.
Gemini Advanced subscribers can now use Gemini Flash 2.0 Experimental in latest Gemini app beta
Available now Gemini 2.0 Flash is one of Google’s newest and smallest AI models, and an experimental version of it is now available in the Gemini app.
Google launches 'Whisk' for fast AI-generated imagery and updates Veo 2, Imagen 3
Whisk up something good Google detailed the launch of its newest AI experiment, Whisk for Labs testers.
Google Home Public Preview lets you test 'Gemini in Assistant' on Nest devices
Combining Strengths Google kicked off a test involving "Gemini in Assistant" for Nest devices.
Y'all, Google might be in trouble. Then again, maybe not
Apple > Google? Apple finally released iOS 18.2 to the masses, bringing with it a bunch of new AI features. This update also promises major improvements to Apple's Magic Eraser competitor, so we put it to the test.
