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
News Weekly: Google leaks Material 3 design, Galaxy S25 Edge gets a launch date, One UI 8 leaks, and more
News Weekly A round-up of the biggest Tech-related news that stood out this week.
Gemini Live is finally arriving on enterprise Google accounts for work and school
At last Gemini Live has been in the hands of Android users for months, but users with Google Workspace accounts couldn't access the feature until now.
Google calls the US Department of Justice's proposed antitrust remedies 'extreme'
Courtroom drama The U.S. wants Google to stop making deals to lift up its search engine, and wants to force a sale of its Chrome browser. Here's what Google has to say in response.
Gemini fuels Chrome for Android with enhanced scam and spam protection
Got your back Google detailed an update for Chrome on Android that advances its notification protections with Gemini.
Pixel 9 users report inaccurate colors in photos due to Google's processing
Unexpected Pixel owners started reporting color inaccuracies, and Google's processing might be at fault.
Google just gave the Pixel Watch app a fresh light theme makeover
hello, light mode Pixel Watch app gets a bright makeover with a new light theme.
Google's May 2025 Pixel update is here with bug fixes and a critical security patch
Security fixes If you have a Google Pixel device, check for the May 2025 security patch immediately — it includes must-install, zero-day fixes.
Google app on iOS gets a new feature that will 'Simplify' text online
Easy-peesy Google rolls out new "Simplify" feature that will help break down complex texts.
Google won't bring Android 16's Battery Health page to older Pixels
Tough luck Google is prepping a Battery Health page for Pixels in Android 16, and we now know exactly which models will — and won't — be supported.
Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview, an updated AI model optimized for coding, is here
New release Google built an updated version of Gemini 2.5 Pro for coding and advanced reasoning, and it's at the top of key AI leaderboards.
Google teases Apple for stealing its design in iPhone 17 rumors
Inspiration Google's Pixel teased Apple over its rumored iPhone 17 design.
Google leaked its own design process for Material 3 Expressive
Big mistake Google plans to reveal Material 3 Expressive at Google I/O 2025, but it accidentally leaked a blog post about it ahead of time.
'Intrusion Detection' might help Android 16 users catch suspicious phone activity
Furthering Security Google is reportedly developing a security feature called "Intrusion Detection" for Android 16.
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.
How Gemini Live's video support helped me grow plants in the desert
Green (AI) thumb Admittedly, there aren't a lot of AI use cases that'll actually change your life. But for me, Gemini Live's gardening help was one of them.
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.
