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Google

Jenna Phipps
Last Updated May 24, 2021 8:02 am

Google, LLC is a technology corporation that offers Internet services, devices, and enterprise computing. Google was founded in 1998 by Stanford graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who designed their search engine to operate based on the interactions between websites rather than the number of search term mentions per page. The company swiftly grew, and in less than a decade “googling” became an accepted phrase for searching something on the Internet. Google’s Douglas County, Georgia data center was built in 2003; many other centers on different continents have since been built. The company acquired YouTube in 2006 and Motorola in 2011. In 2014, it acquired the artificial intelligence company DeepMind and works with it to develop AI technologies and systems. Google is one of the Big Four corporations of the twenty-first century, alongside Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.

Google services and tools

Google offers Internet services and applications, hardware, collaboration tools, and web traffic analysis. It aims to eventually integrate its devices and technology into the everyday lives of its users: Google wants to achieve high-level ambient computing, making its devices and services a comprehensive experience for users. Though its devices do not have a monopoly in the tech market (not even close, in fact), it aims to infuse its products into every aspect of daily life. Just some of Google’s products and services are listed here; this is not a comprehensive list or perfect organization, since so many of Google’s products fall into multiple categories or integrate with each other.

Internet features

Chrome: Google offers its own browser. Chrome is one of the most popular and functional browsers, generally performing well in HTML5 tests.

Search engine: the Google engine is the most visited website in the world and has been for years.

Translate: Google Translate allows users to quickly translate from their language to one of more than a hundred other options.

Google Play Movies & TV: users can stream rented and purchased media to their devices.

Applications

Maps: Google Maps offers location and navigation features for driving, walking, and biking and provides details about current traffic and landmarks.

YouTube Music: this application allows users to stream and browse music on their devices, keeping up with favorite artists and finding new music.

Assistant: not just an application but also a Google system software, the Assistant is Google’s artificial intelligence platform, integrating with Google devices and third-party applications to perform tasks and research for users on request. Saying “Hey Google”, followed by a request or command, initiates the task that the Assistant can then perform. The Assistant’s integration of devices and applications across a network is a significant part of Google’s ambient computing methods.

Google Workspace (software, formerly G Suite)

Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite software, includes many business applications that interoperate for increased collaboration and productivity in the workplace. This software also integrates with many other applications: for example, a business might sync their Google Sheets and Salesforce for added insights. Some of the Workspace applications are:

  • Gmail
  • Docs
  • Slides
  • Sheets
  • Calendar
  • Drive
  • Forms
  • Chat

Google business analytics and advertising

Analytics: Google Analytics shows businesses their web traffic, users, revenue, and conversion rates so they have better real-time insights with which to make specific decisions. Analytics helps companies analyze the growth and trends of their websites and pages.

Ads: Google helps businesses create and implement advertising campaigns, offering flexible pricing and budgeting and giving tips for when and where to target ads.

Search Console: Businesses gain better visibility for marketing and search engine optimization with Search Console by seeing how their pages performed in Google search results. They can observe bugs or issues as those arise.

Google devices

Chromecast: this device allows mobile device users to play media content from their phones on a selected TV.

Pixel: Google’s latest version of its smartphone, the Pixel 5, has a great camera and battery life, but lags behind other smartphones in popularity. The Pixel often runs an Android operating system but can also run Chrome OS.

Nest: this line of smart home products, such as speakers, alarms, and doorbells and locks.

Chromebook: these lightweight laptops run Google’s own operating system, Chrome OS. Different PCs can qualify as Chromebooks if they run Chrome OS (Acer or HP, for example).

Data centers and cloud storage

Google has almost twenty data centers around the world, and it provides businesses with cloud infrastructure and platform options. Just a few include: