Google Applications : How they can make your life easier?‏

As Google enlarges its domain beyond stellar search, the monster keeps increasing its bundle of free tools or applications that enable you to communicate, manage multimedia, jam-pack your calendar, map trips and even create virtual worlds.

Here are some Google apps that user will find the most intriguing, whether for their sheer usefulness or for the controversy they attract.

Gmail

Gmail is a free webmail, POP3, and IMAP service which has about 146 million users in July month. Gmail departs the beta tag on July 7, 2009, along with the rest of the Google Apps suite. At present, the service offers about 7350 MB of free storage with additional storage available after payment. The service ranks at number three lagging behind Hotmail and Yahoo.

Google Maps

Google Maps is free web mapping service application that helps users by providing street maps, a route planner for traveling by foot, car, or public transport and an urban business locator. The service powers various map-based services like Google Ride Finder, Google Transit etc. The application provides high resolution images and graphics of various countries like Japan, US, Canada etc.

Google Earth

The application is different from Google maps as it provides maps of the locations by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3D globe. Formerly, it was owned by Keyhole Inc and originally called Earth Viewer. Google bought the application in 2004 and re-released the service in 2005. Now, the service is also available on various Smartphones and drives lot of public interest.

Picasa

Google had acquired Picasa back in 2004. Picasa is free photo editing and organizing software. Recently, a new version of it has been launched namely, Picasa 3.5 with new features. The most prominent of them is the facial recognition technology.

Google Translate

It is a smart application that helps users to translate a section of text, or a webpage into another language, however, it is still in beta. Users can also search in a source language that can be translated to a destination language of your choice. You can also detect the text of various languages and by default, it will translate into English. But, the application has its limitations as it does not always deliver accurate translations.

Google Special Search

The search giant also provides a special search site for Linux, BSD, Apple Macintosh, Microsoft and US Government users. Google's special searches enable you to narrow your search to a specific topic. In the special search, you can add some words or phrase in the search box and watch Google try to create a spreadsheet for special results.

Google Alerts

Google Alerts allow user to remain in touch with your special interest or hobbies in the world. It sends e-mail to the user every time Google sees a new occurrence of 'IT news,' 'gadgets,' and other keywords of his choice.

Google Docs

It is a free, web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and form application offered that facilitates visitors to create and edit documents online. Earlier, it features two services, Writely and Spreadsheets; these were merged into a single product in 2006 and later in 2007, presentations were also incorporated in the applications.