Google Inc GOOG 1.42% GOOGL 1.51% is one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to technological innovation. With Google’s quarterly earnings release due out today, shareholders are hoping that Q1 will not mark the sixth consecutive quarter that Google has fallen short of consensus expectations.
A lot can change in three months. Here’s a list of several innovations that Google has implemented since its last earnings report.
1. Project Fi
Google’s biggest announcement in the past three months likely came just days ago when the company announced Project Fi, Google’s first wireless cellular service. The service is currently only available for Nexus 6 owners and it is built on top of Sprint Corp S 3.15% and T-Mobile US Inc’s TMUS 1.03% networks.
Google has a long way to go before it competes with the major players in the wireless space, but there is no doubt that AT&T Inc T 4.17% and Verizon Communications Inc VZ 0.97% will be watching Project Fi very closely.
2. $149 Chromebooks
In March, Google unveiled its most inexpensive Chromebooks to date. The bare-bones laptops feature 11.6 inch screens, 2.0 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage but cost only $149.
3. YouTube Kids
Google’s long-rumored family-friendly YouTube app officially launched in February. The app only allows access to content that Google deems “appropriate for the whole family.”
4. Let’s Put Our Cities On The Map
In March, Google launched its new initiative to help small businesses maximize their exposure on Google’s services. The goal of the program is to help businesses create a Google My Business listing and improve visibility on Google search, Google maps and Google+.
5. Google Store
Google Store is now the place to go to buy Android phones and tablets, Android Wear watches, Chromebooks, Nest devices, media streaming devices and related hardware accessories. Google Store is devoted to Google hardware, while Google Play is the source of apps and media.
6. Nearline Cloud Storage
Nearline is Google’s solution for “cold data” storage. Businesses often need to store large amounts of data that is rarely accessed, and Nearline now provides storage of this type of data for only $0.01 per GB per month.
7. Android For Work
In March, Google launched its Android for Work app, which allows users to add a company-owned work profile to an employee’s personal smart device. Android for Work is Google’s solution to employees who have previously had to keep up with a separate work device in addition to their personal device.
It’s possible that a few of these innovations will end up as flops, but Google’s spirit of change and technological advancement has played a huge role in shaping the modern Internet experience worldwide.
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