So Google announced yesterday that it has created a new company, Alphabet, which serves as its Parent company. The move is likely a business decision to maintain or raise investor confidence. Google continues to acquire new companies, and seems to be focusing on too many things. Google+ is practically dead (well, comparing with engagement on other platforms), it is uncertain what Picassa brings to the table, and Google books…urrr..you know it?
The new move may thus be a way to let these business units function independently as startups with their respective CEOs. That’s a better way to scale. It will not be surprising to see Google kill some of it’s acquisitions or projects. But we’re not about that today.
Albeit incomplete (fill in your suggestions in the comments), below is a possible listing of companies that will make up the ‘Alphabet Holdings’ according to current units (but of course, Google could combine many products and give it a new name):
A is for Android: Android is Google’s mobile software/operating systems company. The company was acquired by Google in August, 2005 in a deal worth $50,000,000.
B is for Business: Google Business is currently a convergence of Google+, Search and Maps. Becoming an independent brand will likely make the service more robust. It may include Google Apps which is an extension of the Cloud service. It is possible that this brand also houses the Google’s entire ad network.
C is for Calico: Calico is an independent Research and development biotech company established in 2013 by Google Inc. and Arthur D. Levinson with the goal of combatingaging and associated diseases. The name Calico is shorthand for California Life Company, and is focused mainly on health, wellbeing and longevity.
D is for Drive: Drive is Google’s cloud storage system. It competes with Dropbox, SkyDrive, Box, and a host of other services.
E is for Earth: Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D created by Keyhole, Inc. The company was acquired in 2004.
F is for Flights: Google Flights is an online flight booking service which facilitates the purchase of airline tickets through third party suppliers. The company was acquired from ITA software for $700,000,000 in 2011.
G is for Google: Applications such as Search, Youtube, GMail, Chrome, Photos and many more will likely remain under this umbrella.
H is for Hangout:This one is highly unlikely. But considering that Google+ could be restructured into a more inclusive social platform, there is a glimpse of chance. If this will happen then, the whole thing should just be named Hangout once and for all.
I is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
J is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
K is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
L is for Link: Project Link builds fiber-optic networks, making it possible for local providers to connect more people to the Internet and each other. The project is currently functional in many parts of America and some parts of Uganda.
M is for Makani: This is actually under the Google X program, we’re just hoping it fits. Makani provides Energy using kites to simulates the tip of a wind turbine blade, the part of a turbine that makes most of the energy. This service may be the outlet to provide electricity to small communities around the world.
N is for Nest: Nest Labs is a home automation producer of programmable, self-learning, sensor-driven, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, smoke detectors, and other security systems.
O is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
P is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
Q is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
R is for Re:Brief: Re:Brief is Google’s way of re-imagining advertising using real stories to drive mass engagement. Re:Brief uses audience targeting signals and contextual ad serving to determine which story is presented to the user in the ad unit. Repeat visitors are shown new stories.
S is for Shield: Shield is a cross-sector, inter-disciplinary think tank dedicated to understanding global challenges and applying technological solutions. The think tank is organized within Google’s Business Operations and Strategy area and thus is within its business operations rather than its philanthropy part.
T is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
U is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
V is Ventures: Google Ventures is the corporate venture capital investment arm of Google Inc. and provides seed, venture, and growth stage funding to technology companies.
W is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
X is for X: Google X is a semi-secret facility dedicated to making major technological advancements. The project houses cutting edge technology projects developed by Google. Some of the projects include: Self driving cars, Project Wing, Google Glass, Contact Lens, Project Loon, etc.
Y is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
Z is for [fill in your suggestion in the comments]
