Google has pervaded every aspect of our digital lives to the extent that it is now in the Oxford Dictionary as a verb. However, this is the least of it.
As well as a search engine, Google also makes a browser (Chrome) and a large number of computer programs or Apps which tend to be online focussed or related to their own mobile operating system, Android. That’s why understanding Google is important for everyone, in particular if you have an Android tablet or phone.
One of the first things you need to do when owning a tablet or smartphone is to set up an account which means registering an email address (normally associated with the operating system company, gmail for android, icloud for apple and outlook for microsoft).
Setting up a gmail address does not just give you email. It becomes the central point for a variety of services and apps some of which will already be installed on your device.
In addition to having the apps on your device, you can also see what apps and features you have available from the internet through your PC (or Mac). Knowing your way around the optins on the PC gives you an insight into what you have on yor tablet and how the two can integrate.
What Google apps do you have on your tablet? Can you see them on your gmail account on your computer?
- Search – it has over 20 different search specialisms such as the goggles app
- Google+
- Google Maps
- Google Drive
- Cast
- Wallet
- Chrome
- YouTube
- Docs
- Translate
- Earth
- Photos
- Calendar
- Keep
- Sky Map
and a whole lot more… including of course, the Play Store.
Having looked online, we are going to explore Drive and Photos.
Check to see if drive is installed on your tablet.
Getting started with Google Drive – read the document: note that it had to download before you could read it…
you can make items available off line for future access.
My Drive settings: the top bar & the menu options: put photos into the drive automatically
Adding stuff, folders, documents etc. Uploading. Sharing a folder.
did you know that Google also make things:
Google Search Appl a search appliance designed for indexing corporate data.
Google driverless car – a driverless car.
Nexus One – Smartphone running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 2.3 “Gingerbread”.
Nexus S – Smartphone running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 4.1 “Jelly Bean”.
Galaxy Nexus – Smartphone running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 4.3 “Jelly Bean”.
Google TV – Smart TV interface running on smart TVs and set-top boxes.
Nexus 7 (2012 version) – 7″ Tablet manufactured by Asus running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 7 (2013 version) – 7″ Tablet manufactured by Asus running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 4 – 4.7″ Phone manufactured by LG running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 5 – 4.95″ Phone manufactured by LG running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 6 – 5.96″ Phone manufactured by Motorola running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.[28]
Nexus 9 – 9″ Tablet running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 10 – 10″ Tablet running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Nexus 5X – 5″ Phone running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 6.0 “Marshmallow”.
Nexus 6P – 5.7″ Phone running the Android open source mobile operating system, version 6.0 “Marshmallow”.[29]
Nexus Player – A streaming media player created in collaboration between Google and ASUS, the first device running Android TV, version 5.1 “Lollipop”.
Pixel C – 10.2″ convertible tablet running the Android Android open source mobile operating system, version 6.0 “Marshmallow”.
Chromebook – Laptop personal computer running Chrome OS.
Chromebook Pixel – High end laptop computer designed by Google running Chrome OS.
Chromebox – Desktop personal computer running Chrome OS.
Chromecast – A media streaming adapter produced by Google.
Chromecast 2 – An media streaming adapter produced by Google.
Chromecast Audio – An audio streaming adapter produced by Google.
Google Glass – a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display and camera that allows the wearer to interact with various applications and the Internet via natural language voice commands. It is still in development, with plans for consumer release in 2016.
Google Contact Lens – a contact lens capable of monitoring the user’s glucose level in tears. It is not yet released for public usage, but is in testing at Google[x].
Google OnHub – a brand new line of routers manufactured by TP-Link and Asus.
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