Google, Facebook, Amazon no longer confined to Internet
Internet companies are no longer limited to the web browser as they look for new ways to grow their businesses.
In recent years, the top internet companies have increasingly expanded the scope of their activities and ambitions, raising the prospect of exciting new technologies — but also new privacy concerns.
Here are some prominent examples of the growing reach of the big internet players:
Google: Google Inc built its business with its web search engine, but more than any other internet company, it has led the way in expanding to new horizons.
In February, Google announced plans to acquire Nest, which makes smart thermostats and smoke alarms. The deal positions Google to play an important role in the emerging “Internet of things” market, in which a variety of home appliances and other devices are connected to the internet.
It is also focusing on wearable technology. The company has been testing computerized glasses known as Google Glass for several years, and in March announced plans to bring its Android software to smart wristwatches and other devices.
Google Fiber is available in a handful of US cities, offering high-speed internet and television services to consumers. The company is also experimenting with a plan to use a fleet of solar-powered balloons to deliver internet access in underdeveloped parts of the world.
Self-driving cars and robots are also among the so-called “moonshot” projects under development at Google.
Facebook: The world’s No.1 internet social network said in March it was developing drones and satellites as part of an ambitious effort to beam internet connectivity to people in underdeveloped parts of the world.
The move extends Facebook Inc’s Internet.org effort, aimed at connecting billions of people who do not currently have internet access in places such as Africa and Asia.
Days before Facebook announced its drone project, it spent $2 billion to acquire Oculus VR, a maker of virtual reality goggles. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the deal was a long-term bet that immersive, augmented reality will become a part of people’s daily lives, allowing remote visits to the doctor’s office, classrooms and sporting events.
Amazon: In December, Amazon.com Inc said it was testing Amazon Prime Air, a service that uses eight-propellered drones to deliver small packages to shoppers’ homes in 30 minutes. In an interview on the Charlie Rose television programme, Bezos said its drone delivery service was still four or five years away.
Amazon is trying to get a foothold in consumers’ living rooms with the Fire TV, a television set-top box that the company unveiled recently. The device, which streams online video content from Netflix, Hulu as well as Amazon’s own original video programmes, adds to the tablet and e-reader devices in Amazon’s growing hardware line-up.
Via : TOI
Connect With Us
Related Posts
- Real Estate Act comes into effect: 10 things you need to know about new law ( May 4, 2017 )
- Expats Living in Comfort – Hyderabad, India ( May 4, 2017 )
- MNC queue to Hyderabad grows longer; JP Morgan & IBM look for office space ( June 22, 2016 )
- An Apple in Hyderabad’s IT Garden: CEO Tim Cook’s big announcement Today ( May 19, 2016 )
- Hyderabad May get Disneyland Park ( April 22, 2016 )
- Indian Office Space Absorption Up 11% in Q4: Survey ( April 13, 2016 )
- Cognizant plans to add 8,000 people at Hyderabad facility ( March 9, 2016 )
- Ranked 139 in world, Hyderabad is Best Indian City to Live in ( February 24, 2016 )
- The Platina – Exclusive Commercial Space, Hyderabad ( February 19, 2016 )
- Apple, Inc set to open new $25 million Tech Center in Hyderabad, India by June ( February 16, 2016 )
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
- February 2018
- October 2017
- May 2017
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- March 2011
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
Leave a reply