Google - the game-changer on the Internet

Google needs no introduction. Every person who accesses Internet either uses Google search engine or other wonderful technologies built by them. Personally, Google has become a part of my primary touch-point with Information Technology on daily basis. The following are some of the ways Google continues to enrich my Life:

1. Google search engine: Being avid net surfer, I rely on Google search engine to look for what I want on the Internet! I remember using Altavista engine long back followed by yahoo and rediff engines for some time, but I settled finally with Google

2. Google Blogger: My blog you are currently reading is running on Google's blogger software - a good platform to share thoughts, views, opinions, ideas, knowledge and experiences with wider audience.

3. Google Youtube: My kid loves to watch Mr. Maker (from Cbeebies BBC series), Ice-cream song and Rhymes on Youtube.

4. Google Maps: I could locate a Reliance Jewellery outlet and trace the route to that shop in Bangalore using Google Maps !

5. Google Docs: I share some of the documents with my team working across India on Google Docs.

6. Google Android: I bought my first smartphone based on Google's Android and enjoyed all the apps on it - Games, Newspapers, Productivity tools and the like.
7. Google Books: I read a few sample chapters on Google Books (whichever available) before I decide to buy any books online from sites like http://flipkart.com.
8. Google Analytics: I analyze the traffic to my spouse's website - http://financeworld.co.in - using Google Analytics. It gives me a good idea about sources of traffic by various parameters like country, browser type and time.
9. Google Places: Search with this phrase as-is in Google - 'finance world bangalore'. The location of my spouse's business is through the listing in Google Places.
10. Google Sketchup: My Interior Designer introduced me to 'Sketchup' software from Google, which helps in preparing 3-D models of Interiors !
11. I use many more Google products like Talk, Translator, Google Earth, Google+ and Orkut from time to time.

The good part is that all the above services are free for my consumption. Who said there are NO free lunches? :-) Another interesting point to be noted is that out of 38 billion USD (around that number) revenue of Google, 99% comes through display of Advertisements in different services they offer. No need to feel guilty about availing the services for free; I am generating revenue for Google after all :-)