It’s safe to say that 2013 was dominated by Google, but not all the updates and new functionality launched were fully embraced by your average internet user. Here are a few of 2013’s highlights:
1. Google Hangouts – Google managed to merge the gTalk and Google+ messenger experience into one single messaging app. This allows all the messages can stay in sync between each platform. The app is available for iOS, Android, Chrome, and, of course, Gmail.
2. Auto Awesome – After last year’s revamp, Google+ looks beautiful. Auto Awesome can enhance, categorise and style photos. It can make duplicates disappear, and using its algorithms, it can even remove wrinkles.
3. OK Google – Prompt the search service in Google Chrome by saying “OK Google”. Very much like Apple’s Siri, you can use “OK Google” for various tasks (like sending emails or displaying certain images).
4. Attaching money to your emails – Google merged Gmail with Google Wallet to offer users the option of sending money via email.
5. Hummingbird – The search algorithm Google uses was redevised from scratch. This shook the SEO world, by giving unexpected SERPS and unpredictable shifts. Find out more about hummingbird in our earlier article.
6. RIP Google Reader – Probably the worst news from Google this year. Users were not happy to pack up their RSS feeds and move to Feedly or The Old Reader.
7. Chromecast – This device looks like a USB drive but it’s plugged in your TV’s HDMI. The device allows you to beam content from your computer, phone or tablet onto a TV.
8. Google Glass – After a really long time, the product is ready. Even though it will hit the mass market in 2014, a lot of testers were given the Google glasses.
Follow