Google Apps

Google is looking at its cloud-based apps for the enterprise not as a small side business, but as a major driver of future growth.

Google+ may not have taken the social networking world by storm the way Google hoped, but it does offer useful tools for the workplace and project-oriented groups. Hangouts, the company’s online video chat technology, offers a simple way for people to get together and meet, no external software required. The video service also integrates with Google's other free tools, so that you can talk while working together on a Google Doc or share your screen to troubleshoot a problem.

Google is reportedly moving to more direct sales of its Android smartphones and tablets in a move to wrest control away from wireless carriers that install their own services on Android gear or block Google apps like Google Wallet.

In an IT environment of MacBook laptops, Windows PCs, iPhones, iPads and Droid devices, why would any enterprise stick with Microsoft Outlook for email and collaboration?

While Google is pitching Google Apps as an ideal productivity solution for enterprises, a large majority of its early adopters are small businesses.

After more than two years of work, the city of Los Angeles has abandoned its effort to migrate its police operations to Google's hosted email and office application platform because it says the service cannot meet FBI security requirements. Insider (registration required)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has moved 25,000 employees and contractors to Google Apps for Government.

Google announced that its new social networking site is now integrated with Google Apps, its cloud-based office suite.

There are three types of products Google CEO Larry Page prioritizes above all others, and Google Apps for Business isn't one of them. In Google's quarterly earnings call, Page said he thinks of Google's products in three categories: Advertisements, consumer products and new products such as Google+.

Google took another step toward the enterprise with the unveiling of the Chrome OS-based Chromebook netbook PC.