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Difference Between Google and iGoogle
Google and iGoogle are both Google products; however, they fulfil different purposes. iGoogle was a Google-provided personalized homepage service. Google began as a search engine but has now developed into a wide range of products and services.
Read this article to find out more about Google and iGoogle and how they are different from each other.
What is Google?
Google is a multinational technology corporation started in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. It began as a search engine but has now developed into a wide range of products and services. Here are some essential features and characteristics of Google −
Search Engine − Google's primary product is its search engine, which allows users to find information on the internet. The search engine indexes and ranks online pages using complicated algorithms, providing users with appropriate search results depending on their searches. Google's search engine is well-known for its speed, accuracy, and comprehensive online coverage.
Advertising − Advertising is Google's primary source of revenue. Businesses can create customized ads that appear alongside search results and on numerous websites and applications using Google Ads (previously known as Google AdWords). Google Ads uses a pay-per-click model, which means advertisers only pay when people click on their ads.
Android Operating System − Google created the Android operating system, which is the world's most popular mobile operating system. Android is the operating system that runs millions of smartphones and tablets, and it gives users access to the Google Play Store, where they can download and install apps, games, and other digital content.
Alphabet Inc. − Google went through a corporate restructure in 2015, becoming a new parent company called Alphabet Inc. Google became an Alphabet subsidiary, with Sundar Pichai as CEO. Alphabet was able to split its main internet company (Google) from its more experimental and diverse ventures as a result of this restructuring.
What is iGoogle?
Google's iGoogle was a personalised homepage service. It allowed users to create a personalized homepage using widgets, gadgets, and RSS feeds to display personalized information and updates. Here are some iGoogle specifics −
Customization − iGoogle allows users to customize their homepage based on their preferences. Users could select from a variety of Google-provided gadgets and widgets, as well as those created by third-party developers. Weather forecasts, news headlines, email previews, calendar events, to-do lists, stock market updates, social media feeds, and much more were among the gadgets available. Users can combine and modify the layout of various gadgets to create a personalized information dashboard.
Themes − To customize the visual appeal of the homepage, iGoogle provided a number of themes and backgrounds. Users could select from a library of pre-designed themes or create their own by combining colors, photos, and other components. Users could now customize the look and feel of their iGoogle homepage.
Social Integration − Users may combine their social network accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter, with iGoogle. Users could customize their homepage with social network gadgets, allowing them to view and engage with their social feeds, notifications, and updates directly from iGoogle.
Discontinuation − Google stopped the iGoogle service on November 1, 2013, despite its popularity. The decision to shut down iGoogle was made in order to allocate resources to the development of other products and services. Following its discontinuation, customers were encouraged to look into other choices for customizing their online experience, such as Google Chrome's configurable New Tab page or other personalized dashboard services provided by third-party providers.
Difference between Google and iGoogle
The following table highlights the major differences between Google and iGoogle −
Characteristics |
iGoogle |
|
|---|---|---|
Social Integration |
Social media platforms integrated |
Social media gadgets are available for integration. |
Primary Function |
Search engine |
Personalized homepage service |
RSS Feed Support |
Not applicable (focused on search results) |
Supported RSS feeds for personalized news updates |
Themes |
Not applicable (focused on search results) |
Themes and backgrounds for visual customization |
Discontinuation Status |
N/A |
Discontinued by Google in 2013. |
Widgets and Gadgets |
Not applicable (focused on search results) |
A wide range of widgets and gadgets is available. |
Online Services |
Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Photos, Google Calendar, etc. |
Offers a collection of widgets and gadgets for personalized information. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the primary difference between Google and iGoogle can be observed in their fundamental responsibilities. Google is an advanced search engine that allows users to search for information on the internet and offers a variety of services such as email, maps, and cloud storage.
iGoogle was a personalized homepage service that allowed users to create a customized homepage with widgets and RSS feeds to display personalized information and updates. However, Google terminated iGoogle in 2013, whereas Google's search engine and other services are still widely used and developed.
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