Google: Changing the World

When Google first came out to the public, it was just a simple looking website.  Growing up throughout high school, my computer class always used Hotmail and Yahoo as our main sources.  Yahoo's interface was more welcoming than Google Beta at the time.  It was a plain blank background with just the Google logo compared to Yahoo with news, weather, sports updates, and so on.  I never would have thought Google would become the huge success it is now.  I also never would have thought it would become one of the main essentials in my life to use every day from checking email, finding directions, and basically keeping us connected to everything in the world.

Now that Google has taken over the world, it is worth billions of dollars today.  It has overall changed the world from the simplicity of its site to becoming the biggest search engine in the world that provides so much more than any other site.  It has more than one million servers across the world to make its search engine accurate!  Google has its own OS and continues to expand not only through mobile phones, but with personal computers.  After hearing how well of a search engine Google was, I began using it more often.  Google search became more reliable in its searches compared to Yahoo, MSN, Ask Jeeves (www.ask.com), and Excite.  The search engine became as simple once a few keystrokes are made, it loads the results in seconds.  It expanded itself to images, videos, blogs, news in real time, and much more.

After using the search engine for some time, I remember when Gmail first came out as a beta.  Everyone was wanting an invite and I was able to get one from a friend.  I was wondering what I was getting into for something that was just simply email.  I realized more with Gmail how much I enjoyed it more than Hotmail, how well it kept spam out of my inbox, and the space it provided for it.  I loved when I first tried it out, I felt like I was chatting with friends through the email, and it would group the messages together into one big email.  Then they included the web based chat and video, GoogleTalk which is now Google+ Hangouts.  You could call anywhere in the US and Canada which was pretty amazing at the time for people who didn't have a long-distance plan.  All of that now is included on mobile phones and computers.

Gmail overall, has changed so much over the years providing more space.  I remember it was 2GB of space in the beginning and it is now 15GB.  Gmail has become my primary e-mail after using Hotmail for years.  It gives you the options to change themes and colors.  It has its own tab for add-ons, sort of like a browser with extensions.  You can create labels for specific emails.  You can filter or block out specific emails going straight to trash.  Your emails are grouped up in three different categories: Primary, Social, and Promotions.  All of which makes browsing emails a lot easier and more organized.

Another product of Google that I found made a difference in the world is Google Maps.   It gives the ability to see all over the world to viewing streets of different locations within seconds including directions.  By doing this, it can use your current location with GPS or just typing in the area.  Another benefit of using the maps is Google Earth, it lets you view the world in 3D up close.  I can't forget though the most awkward and funny street views you encounter with Google Maps!

There are still tons and tons of Google products that I adore.  One of my favorite hobbies is to star gaze.  Growing up, I would go up to the airport or sit on top of my roof to see the stars.  I wanted to learn more about astronomy.  Besides Google Maps, there is Google Sky Map.  I have this app on my Nexus tablet and my smartphone.  With GPS activated, you can stand outside and it will show the stars right above you with each one labeled.  Finding the Big Dipper to the Little Dipper is just that simple.

The future of Google keeps growing more and more.  One of their future products that has been made is Google Glass. The beauty and slick design of simplicity with these glasses brings the world to you hands-free right across your eye with the use of your voice.  

As the site mentions:
"It’s surprisingly simple.

Say “take a picture” to take a picture.

Record what you see. Hands-free.

Even share what you see. Live.

Directions right in front of you.

Speak to send a message.

Ask whatever’s on your mind.

Translate your voice.

Answers without having to ask.

Strong and light.

Evolutionary design."

I cannot wait for it to come out, but I know it will be pricey.  I truly hope it works as it sounds being amazing, it's like something out of a movie.

Despite Google having to be worth billions of dollars, they are one company who really support many nonprofits to place a global impact for people just by making a difference for the better.  Below you will see Google Giving: 

It shows there's good in the company when they are willing to make a difference in people's lives.  I believe that's so important to do a random act of kindness as well as with charities and just to help other people by showing them that somebody, somewhere cares.  We live in a world where love is a constant need.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring: all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

Overall, I see Google being around for a very long time and creating so much more in the future  I can honestly say Google has changed my life and has amazed me compared to the first time I ever tried the internet in 1998.  It has helped me connect to my family across the world especially in the Philippines through Google Hangout, Gmail, and even my smartphone that runs Android OS.  I believe Google will always be a household name across the world and continue changing lives on how we interconnect.