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
This new AI feature is the best thing to come out of Google I/O 2024
By Brady Snyder published
Scam likely There were a lot of AI features announced at Google I/O 2024 that probably didn't need to exist, but the AI scam detection alerts are actually a great thing that will help a lot of people.
ChromeOS on Android not likely as Google says it was 'just a tech demo'
By Nickolas Diaz published
Proof of Concept Google executive squashes hopes of ChromeOS on Android following a brief interview.
Google highlights Health Connect updates for user data in I/O segment
By Nickolas Diaz published
More data Google's Health Connect teases two upcoming updates pertaining to user data and developer apps.
Google launches program that seeks to help and partner with creators with disabilities
By Nickolas Diaz published
Helping Out Google launched its new GRID program to help creators with disabilities feel more comfortable in tech.
Google is making Android and Google Maps more accessible with these changes
By Brady Snyder published
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Google is adding eight new features to Lookout, Look to Speak, Google Maps, and Android on Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Google I/O 2024: The biggest announcements from AI to Android
By Nandika Ravi published
And its a wrap! A round-up of all the biggest announcements at this year's Google I/O.
Google wants to make long car rides more fun with new features
By Jay Bonggolto published
Android for Cars Google just upped the game for Android Auto and in-car systems with new apps.
Android 15 Beta 2 just landed for Google Pixels and non-Pixel devices too
By Jay Bonggolto published
new beta drop Google just dropped Android 15 Beta 2, packing it with new features.
Android preps a 'Private Space' and extra layers of security following I/O 2024
By Nickolas Diaz published
Safe Google detailed an array of new security layers to help safeguard users' data on Android.
Google details big Gen AI upgrades for queries in Search during I/O 2024
By Nickolas Diaz published
Search with AI Google detailed several new AI-backed additions coming for Search users in the U.S.
Google Photos is letting you chat with your pictures thanks to Gemini
By Jay Bonggolto published
Ask google photos Google Photos will soon allow you to search for photos with your voice or by typing questions.
OpenAI now has an AI model with vision, and everyone else should be scared
By Brady Snyder published
Google Assistant replacement? With its new GPT-4o model, OpenAI proved it's still the company to beat when it comes to AI. Google might have something to say about that at I/O 2024, however.
Google and Apple's cross-platform unwanted tracking notifications are finally rolling out on iOS and Android
By Brady Snyder published
Safe tracking The two companies have a new industry standard for detecting unknown Bluetooth trackers.
Google showcases a potential answer to GPT-4o ahead of I/O
By Brady Snyder published
GPT-4o killer? Right after OpenAI demoed its new voice assistant with vision, Google is teasing I/O 2024 announcements with software that looks eerily similar.
Google wants to design Pixel phones to be repairable without special tools
By Brady Snyder published
Easy fixes Google already sells replacement parts and tools for its Pixel phones through an iFixit partnership. One day, it hopes you won't even need specialized tools.
Google might let you run ChromeOS on Android one day
By Brady Snyder published
Android desktop environment Google is internally experimenting with running ChromeOS on Android using the Android Virtualization Framework and an external monitor.
Google is bringing Project Starline's 3D video calls to everyone in 2025
By Jay Bonggolto published
Forget flat screens Google's Project Starline is exiting the lab, and it will work with Meet and Zoom.
Google might add Spatial Audio to Chromebooks in a future ChromeOS update
By Brady Snyder published
Surround sound References to Spatial Audio have been spotted in ChromeOS code, though the feature isn't working just yet.
News Weekly: Pixel 8a arrives, YouTube gets more AI, Motorola's new stylus phone, and more
By Nandika Ravi published
News weekly Pixel 8a makes a debut, YouTube gets a funky new AI feature, Moto G 5g stylus launches, Pixel devices get a new round of updates, and Prime Video users are in for more ads.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android