The Alphabet Empire
When we think about the slogan, ‘One account. All of Google’, just how much information is in that ‘One account’. What exactly constitutes ‘All of Google’? Maybe more than you think. Since it was founded in 1998, Google – now Alphabet – has acquired more than 180 companies and invested in a further 400, expanding its services to mobile (Android), video (YouTube), the home (Nest), the body (23andMe), self-driving cars and the world’s largest library. With the data that Google collects from our use of its free web searches, email and maps, Alphabet’s expanding empire now has unprecedented insights into our habits, actions and thoughts. This information, in turn, is being used to turn Google into an artificial-intelligence and machine-learning company. This 3D infographic maps the company’s acquisitions and investments, based on openly available information.