Inside Google

Ever wondered what its like to work for one of the most exciting companies in the world? I have. Let's find out.

The Google empire is spread across 30 locations in 22 different countries. London has one of the biggest plants, whilst a new site in Zurich , the biggest in Europe, opened recently. Google's offices are famous for providing it's workers with a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. The stylish layout and unusual seating, are all key factors into keeping a happy workforce.

Features include, a fireman's poll for easy access to lower floors, goodbye stairs! Hammocks to swing in and chill out, games rooms and gym complete with a personal trainer, igloos and egg shaped constructions, and the decor is strictly primary colours.

Google can be selective of who they hire, their principal is to 'hire the best'. That's why they concentrate on opening new sites in high talent areas. Their aim is to stay one step ahead of competitors by employing the correct people. Google offices can pop up anywhere, even Israel has two.

Google wants to understand peoples needs, by doing so giving the web user a more personal service. If only all workplaces were like Google's.....

The Google Story

The Hot 5: April 08

MP3 - Apple iPod Touch £175, Apple iPod Classic £150, Microsoft Zune 8GB 140, Sony NWZ-A816 £70, Apple iPod Nano £90.

Smartphones - Apple iPhone £270, Nokia N95 8GB £free, Nokia N81 £free, Motorola Z8 £free, HTC TyTN II £free.

Laptops - Apple MacBook Pro £1100, Flybook V33i HSDPA £1770, Sony Vaio VGN-AR11S £2860, Asus W5Fe £1014, Sony Vaio VGN-TZ11MN £1100.

More Hot 5 categories coming soon

Let's go Retro!

Lets have a look back now at some amazing Gadgets of the past, which some are still available to buy. Retro Gadgets are are becoming ever popular, and Retro designs are still used on new Gadgets today.

The Rubik's Cube: 1980, Ah, the good old rubik's cube. around since the 80's, its a fun way to pass time. But became frustrating when you couldn't finish it.

Motorola Startac: 1996, This transformed mobile phones by being one of the first clamshell styled phones. Mobile phones before this were like bricks, big and bulky. An excellent move forward i say.

Sony Walkman: 1979, The Walkman enabled us to listen to music on-the-go, if it be in tape form. Who didn't have one, they were everywhere. Then came along portable CD players, and of course nowdays no-one can be without their MP3 player.

Scalextric: 1957, So how was time passed on all those rainy days? A Scalextric set of course. Every boys dream at Christmas, racing cars round a track with trigger controls. Making huge success, the Scalextric set is still around today.

Sega Mega Drive: 1988, The console of all consoles, the Mega Drive. It beat off the competition offering 16-bit gaming, which bought graphics the world had never seen before. Only one game comes into mind.... Sonic the Hedgehog, was born.

Raleigh Chopper: 1968, First produced in 1968, the Chopper was the bike of choice for children in Britain. It's stylish design made it an instant winner. What a bike! Until the arrival of the BMX.

Interested in all things Retro? Check out Retrotogo.com

LG KF600

One of the latest stylish fashion phones out there at the moment is the LG KF600. But do its functions live up to the trendy exterior.

The phone slides up to reveal the keypad, but also features the special InteractPad, which gives you touch based navigation to control the top screen. It displays primary keys needed to perform each task, and boosts hand-writing recognition.

Equipped with a basic music player, which plays most formats. Built in radio. And micro SD card supported.

The cameras 3mega pixel, not bad but 5 mp more the norm for this standard of phone. MPEG4 video playback too. Overall, 3/5, the LG Viewty could be the better option i think.

See a full review of the LG KF600 at Stuff.tv

LG KF600 Sim Free Mobile Phone - Black

Watch out!

Junghans Mega

Adistar GT

Storm Elexo

Storm Elexo 4337/R Rubber Men's Digital Watch

Tech News: March 08'

US government gets sneak peek of Windows 7

Despite telling the world that Windows 7 isn't even close to completion and insisting Vista will be around for a while, Microsoft has released a build of its next operating system to US law enforcement, a court document claims. Read more....

The future of digital communications

Do you remember the days before mobile phones? It's hard to imagine a time when train journeys were not filled with the sound of people shouting "I'm on the train" into little plastic slabs. Mobile phones have moved from housebrick-sized boxes. Read more....

100,000 downloads of iPhone SDKs

Apple has announced that there have already been 100,000 downloads of the iPhone software developer kit (SDK) in the four days since release.
With each developer kit costing $99, even TechRadar.com's rudimentary maths skills can work out that this gives Apple just shy of $10 million, before it even starts raking in 30 per cent of any profits from the sale of the applications that are made. Read more....

AOL to buy Bebo for £417m

Internet group AOL has agreed a deal to buy social networking website Bebo for 850 million US dollars (£417 million).
The takeover is the latest in a string of multi-million-pound deals as firms look to tap into the boom in popularity of social networking sites. Read more....

JCB Tough Phone

Looking for something different, stands out, unusual. Or Tough maybe? The JCB Tough Phone is your answer.

Splash resistant....Shock resistant....Drop resistant....Dust resistant. It claims to be a mobile built to last, with a 3-year warranty. The yellow and black casing makes it instantly recognisable as a JCB branded product.

You get up to 240 mins talk time, Bluetooth, USB, WAP Browser, even a belt clip in the box. Not bad for £180.00.

Conclusion....Well, perfect for use on building sites, or for someone who treats their phone like their boots. It isn't a style icon, but if it's something tough your after, then it's the JCB Tough Phone!

See how Tough the phone really is: *View Video