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Today's new features presage the future Google (pictures)

Google is growing beyond its search-engine roots. Here's a look at some of the newer technologies that hint at new directions for the company.

Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Stephen Shankland
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1 of 12 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Sergey Brin and Project Glass

Google co-founder Sergey Brin touts the Project Glass computerized glasses at the Google I/O show in June. The electronic headwear draws on cell-phone technology such as ARM processors and small cameras, though Google specified a lens that's got a wider field of view than typical mobile phones.
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2 of 12 Google

Humanizing Project Glass

In an attempt to humanize its Project Glass, its computerized headgear, Google showed off this mother-and-child scenario. The baby will stare but not smile at an ordinary camera, but with Project Glass, a mother can both interact with the baby and record photos or feed video to a video chat.
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3 of 12 Google

Google's triumvirate in a self-driving car

Google's top leaders pose in a Google self-driving car. From left to right are Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Larry Page, and co-founder Sergey Brin. The three have kept tight voting control over the company, though Google isn't immune to shareholder pressure and other problems if the stock price should drop significantly.
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4 of 12 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Google Now in action

Android 4.1's Google Now service presents a variety of information tied to what's in your calendar, where you are, where you need to be, and what you're interested in. It's an early step in Google trying to create a service embedded into people's regular lives.
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5 of 12 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Steve Lee and Project Glass

Steve Lee, a member of Google's Project Glass, wearing the computerized headwear at Google I/O.
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6 of 12 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Project Glass: all-seeing eye?

Project Glass comes with a tiny video screen just above the normal field of vision. It's also got a camera for photos and videos.
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7 of 12 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Google Search and Google Now

Android 4.1's Google Search App perches atop Google Now information cards.
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8 of 12 Google

Android 4.1's new notifications

Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean brings a new look to notifications -- and a new level of interactivity, including replying to event invitations.
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9 of 12 screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Google Now asks permission

Google uses a combination of opt-in and opt-out mechanisms to give people some control over the access Google gets to personal information. Here's what Google Now users first see -- a combination of sales pitch and request for permission. The more Google is involved in people's personal lives, the more we can expect to have to actively manage many such opt-in and opt-out choices.
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10 of 12 Paul Ford

I am Googlebot

The Googlebot is Google's software for indexing the contents of Web pages, but with Google's power and ambition on the Net, it's easy to imagine it being much more menacing. Paul Ford drew this cartoonish illustration for a 2002 story about Google and e-commerce.
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11 of 12 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Isabelle Olsson and Project Glass

Isabelle Olsson, Google's Project Glass lead designer, at Google I/O.
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12 of 12 Scott Martin

Project Glass

CNET writer Stephen Shankland wearing Project Glass prototypes.

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