Many take Google for granted. They know it sells smartphones, owns YouTube, and is a search engine.
But just like 90% of an iceberg’s mass lies below the surface of the water, there is far more to Google than the little search window.
Access to some features requires a Google email (Gmail) account.
- Google Search – More than 90% of the world uses this as their search engine. Search for “Google Search tips” to learn how to search more successfully. You can use quotation marks around your words so Google searches for an exact phrase, or using the buttons below the search bar (All, Books, News, Shopping, Maps, More) to filter your search. The Tools button offers options for each of those categories. For example, using the Tools button when searching under News option can filter a search within the last 24 hours to the past week, month, or year.
- Chrome – The Chrome browser has a little grid at the top right that gives you shortcuts to other Google products. Learn how to use history, bookmarks, and settings, and your online life can be more fulfilling.
- Google Maps – Not only find out where any location is, how to get there, how long it takes, tolls, and traffic conditions, but also see how the route could change if you depart at different times and what retail and restaurant options you have in the area. You can also grab a point on the travel line on the directions map and drag it to create alternate routes.
- Google Earth – Stand in front of the Eiffel Tower or look up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Google Earth offers spectacular vistas from any viewpoint. On a desktop, Google Earth Pro can be installed and give you access to the Moon and Mars features.
- Google Docs – Create and share documents online, and even work offline if you need to. Docs has a text editor, spreadsheet editor, and slide presentation creator. When online, you can invite others to collaborate on a file.
- Google Drive – Up to 15 gigabytes of storage is available. Drive is a perfect place to store files from your other devices to free up space. You can upgrade to a Google One subscription plan that expands storage up to two terabytes for Drive and unlimited forGoogle Photos. The free 15 gigs includes storage for Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail.
- Google Photos – Photos stored share the 15 gigs free with any Google account. It includes a print store and utilities for curating and creating photo projects.
Google Scholar – An index of more than 160 million journal articles, academic papers, books, case law, and patents. - Google Sites – Create your own website.
- Snapseed – A professional-level photo editing app that many artists and photographers use.
- Google Translate – Chrome offers an option to translate Web pages, but there is also an app that allows you to communicate in more than 100 languages in near real-time. Translate is also available on the web.
- Google Alerts – You can monitor any keyword or keyword phrase you like. If it appears in Google’s search engine results, you’ll get an email alert. You can track news sources, blog posts, the Web, videos, books, and even your name in any language and region.
- Google Arts & Culture – A platform featuring more than 2,000 collections from 80 different countries in an initiative to bring the arts to life through display, readings, themes, and interactive features.
If you are interested in finding more Google features, apps, and products, see the whole Google iceberg HERE.
