Alphabet to expand its language: Eric Schmidt sees dozens of companies in the future

TechCrunch

Mountain View surprised the world when it announced the creation of and restructuring into Alphabet, a holdings company of which Google is now just a part of. Indeed the name seemed both amusing and surprisingly logical. In addition to being official, Google even registered its full-alphabet domain. The company is still in it’s very early stages however, and Eric Schmidt is now promising it’s about to get bigger. A lot bigger.

Earlier today, at the Virtuous Circle conference held in Menlo Park, California, Mr. Schmidt offered a rather candid take on the whole situation: “I wake up, and I’m the chairman of Alphabet…We sort of announced it without actually knowing which companies it would be. So we’re still working the details.” The idea, of course, is that the company is going to be expanding.

To give an idea of just how many holdings that might entail, the Chairman suggested that, “After 26, we’re going to probably transcendental numbers” (like π) which prompted laughter and his follow-up:  “You think I’m kidding?” Schmidt continued by indicating “I’ve been meeting with the current CEOs of the Alphabet companies and the proposed ones. So you’ll see a lot coming.”

Alphabet as it currently exists.

CNNMoney

For the love of letters

Given that the alphabet literally is 26 letters, it would logically make sense for the Company to hold as many subsidiaries. It would be even more incredible if each could actually have a unique letter thus truly embodying the namesake. At the very least, Mr. Schmidt’s remarks indicate that we are likely to see more announcements in the near future. Whether these may be new ventures started by Alphabet itself or else the results of external acquisitions – like Nest was – it will likely mean that Mountain View will begin to enter other industries.

Some may have reservations about what this could entail, especially amid ongoing allegations that Google has created not only a search monopoly, but an Android-related one as well. That the company could now venture into wholly independent or unchallenged territory means there is both ample room for growth and for domination, the latter of which becomes easier given the fact that Google-related services are already deeply integrated into many aspects of our digital lives.

At the same time, Alphabet seems to be focused on not just changing the future, but improving it as well. Calico for example, is related to healthcare and could theoretically produce treatments or cures for conditions that even existing big name players like Pfizer of GSK have yet to. And as always, the presence of a major new player shakes things up for all those involved, often resulting in improvements that benefit society, the general public, or at the very least consumers.

Some Nexus 6 users have already noticed the positive changes Google has brought to the “carrier relationship” situation with its Project Fi initiative, something that looks to be expanding in a major way later this month. Why wouldn’t the company be eager to try this approach on a much larger scale

And Android?

What this whole situation means for Android is somewhat of a mystery. The mobile OS has now been reduced to a segment of Google which is, itself, now a segment of Alphabet. Ultimately what Google does is Google’s business, and that may – or may not – mean that Alphabet inadvertently winds up doing something counterproductive via another subsidiary or acquisition. While it would logically follow that Mr. Schmidt and the various Alphabet CEOs would want to keep things organized and compartmentalized, Google has for years been charged with becoming more of a slow moving entity given its growing size instead of the once agile player it was in the early days.

This could mean that Android might indirectly benefit from another sibling company’s work or IP, but it could also mean something much less productive. At the very least, it will be of interest to see how Alphabet can manage its various subsidiaries in the long term, as even established players like Sony have been saddled with fiscal problems and been forced to sell off or spin off key parts of their corporate empire.

Clearly there is more to be “unveiled” about Alphabet as time progresses.

Today’s news serves to strengthen the confidence people like Eric Schmidt have in his organization’s future, and offers a glimpse into just what kind of ongoing plans are being discussed. The future will be, shall we say, “M’m! M’m! Good.”

Cloud Chasers: a moving game that tackles issues with immigration while staying fun

There’s plenty of time-killers out there, but very few games manage to spark emotion like the upcoming Cloud Chasers – A Journey of Hope title will. This game comes from Blindflug Studios, which is also responsible for First Strike, a title which encompasses the problems with nuclear warfare. The team is not short on social issues, and this time around they are targeting immigration.

This is an issue that affects plenty of countries and communities, but the topic really hits close to home to us United States residents. Especially for those of us who live along the border, where struggle, laws and sometimes even death are part of the harsh reality we must face on the daily. It’s not an easy conversation… ever. But Cloud Chasers manages to bring consciousness in a very light-hearted manner, and we have to give them props for that.

Cloud Chasers – A Journey of Hope tells the story of Francisco and his daughter Amelia, a couple of immigrants in search of a better life beyond the desert, in a world above the clouds where the privileged live. Of course, just like in real life, this promised land is not easy to reach. There are robots guarding the desert and trying to stop you from reaching their cities. Users must also worry about survival and collect water in order to keep moving. You will depend on Amelia’s fun glider to accomplish that.

Guide a small family through five deadly deserts to reach the gateway to the world above the clouds. It’s a dangerous journey filled with a multitude of unique narrative encounters. Make your decisions wisely, manage your resources, use equipment to your advantage and fill up your precious water reserves by flying through the clouds with your trusty glider.

Explore a randomly generated steampunk world that will not only tell you the story of a wondrous desert planet and its inhabitants, but also show the topic of migration from a completely new perspective.

The game accomplishes a fun experience while keeping a heart-warming story, artistic visuals and engrossing music. It will tingle your senses, make you smile and sometimes even squeeze your heart a little.

Now, let’s get to the real question – when can we get Cloud Chasers? I will be downloading it as soon as it hits the Google Play Store, which will be this Thursday (October 15). You can also get it from the Amazon App Store and the Apple App Store (just in case you are into that kind of stuff).

We haven’t gotten any details on pricing yet, but First Strike is worth $3.99. We assume Cloud Chasers will cost about the same. I say it’s worth the price for such a well elaborated game, though. You will also feel better knowing they will donate a share of the revenue to the MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station).

Who else is downloading Cloud Chasers?!

Google showcases its Search app in 3 helpful videos

Chances are many of you are not really taking full advantage of what the Google Search app can offer. Google is great for finding random information and local businesses, but its capabilities extend far beyond simple searches. One can control applications, set calendar entries, send messages, initiate calls, start navigation, turn on the flashlight and more!

In an effort to further demonstrate how resourceful Google Search and Google Now can be, the Mountain View tech giant has just released a trio of fun videos. These display real-life situations in which Google Search can be a life saver. Let’s take a look at them!

Pretty neat, right? I happen to be a fan of these ads. They are very personal and show everyday struggles we have all found ourselves in.

Are any of you guys using these unconventional features? Google Search is getting quite complex in Android devices. More recently the Search Giant integrated Twitter posts, the ability to find your phone via Search and a new service that connects you to home service workers.

In which other interesting ways do you guys use Google Search? I have to say I am not the best user when it comes to this app. I mostly use it for random searches and do everything else manually.