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
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'Intrusion Detection' might help Android 16 users catch suspicious phone activity
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Google's AI Mode tipped to gain a 'Live' feature similar to Gemini
Similar Vibes New Google code suggested AI Mode could grab a new Gemini-like feature.
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NotebookLM gets Gemini 2.5 Flash as it prepares to launch as a standalone app
Research helper NotebookLM is about to launch as a standalone app at Google I/O 2025, but it's getting expanded Audio Overview support and Gemini 2.5 Flash capabilities now.
Google One AI could have more tiers on the way, like a 'Gemini Ultra' plan
Pro or Ultra? Google is rumored to have new AI Premium tiers in the works for consumers looking for Gemini's assistance.
How to use Gemini Live's camera and screen sharing features
AI smarts Gemini Live's multimodal support recently grew with live video and screen sharing inputs — here's how to use them to solve daily problems.
How to improve your appearance in Google Meet
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Gemini's built-in AI image editor is here to mess with your photos directly
Forget Photoshop Gemini’s new editing tool is here to help you bend reality like never before.
Google Voice adds three-way calling support alongside its interface rework
Hey, we're all here Google highlighted the rollout of its three-way calling support in Voice.
Small change in Wear OS shows it's ready to kick the Assistant for Gemini
Look, it's Gemini Gemini was reported to have made a small appearance in Wear OS as Google prepares for its integration.
Gemini app brings access to 'key actions' on your Android and iOS home screen
A no brainer Android and iOS users started receiving an update for "key action" access for Gemini's utility.
