10 Google Search Tricks You Might Not Know

1. Boolean Search Parameters: To really master the art of Google search, you can follow certain terms and tricks. For instance, rather than simply asking Google a question in the search box, include specific items such as type of file or title name.


2. Public Data: Google has an entire directory of public data, which you can also access to look up trends. Type keywords such as "population" or "unemployment," followed by a state or county.


3. Easter Eggs: Google's developers have a sense of humor -- just type in "do a barrel roll" or "let it snow" to see for yourself. There are a number of other hidden easter eggs as well.


4. Tracking a Package: If you have the tracking number for a FedEx, UPS or USPS package, type it into the search box and Google will provide you with quick updates on your package's status.


5. Calculator: Need a quick answer to a math problem? Enter the calculation into the search box.


6. Unit Conversions: Wondering how many milliliters are in one cup? Google has a built-in converter for different units of measurement, like height, weight and volume.


You can also do the same for currency conversions.


7. Sports Tracking: If you're on the go, but need a quick check on your favorite sports team, enter the team or league name into the search box.


8. Medication: Find brief summaries and descriptions for most generic and brand name prescription drugs in the U.S. by typing their names into the search box.


9. Flight Schedule: Whether you need to check the status on a U.S. flight or book a trip, there are a couple terms that can help you plan accordingly.


Enter the name of the airline and the flight number to check its status. To see schedules to or from specific locations, type in "flights from" or "flights to" along with the city or airport.


10. Sunrise and Sunset: Wondering when to catch a sunrise or sunset? If you type "sunrise" or "sunset" followed by the name of the city, Google's built-in feature counts down to the next occurrence.

'do a barrel roll' on Google

The expression " do a barrel roll" has become a trending topic on Twitter after internet users discovered a new feature on Google that makes the screen perform a 360-degree spin on typing the phrase into the search box. 


According to the Telegraph, the same effect can be achieved by entering "Z or R twice" into the search bar. 


It is the latest such gimmick to appear on Google, following a similar amusement in which users could adjust the angle of the screen by entering the word "tilt" as a search term. 


The barrel roll game does not seem to function on all browsers but appears to work best using Firefox and Chrome. 


The so-called Easter egg is a nod to Star Fox 64, the 1997 Nintendo game, in which a space pilot rabbit called Peppy tells character Fox McCloud to "do a barrel roll". 


A Google spokesperson said the purpose of the new gimmick is mainly to entertain its users, adding that it will remain in place for a while. 


"Today's fun query, 'do a barrel roll', was created by a Google software engineer with the primary goal of entertaining users, while showcasing the power of CSS3, a presentation feature of modern browsers."

Google building secret lab

Google is reportedly working on a secret laboratory at its California headquarters worth 120 million dollars, which the internet search giant will use to test a range of new experimental products. 


The new lab, which is already under construction, will include buildings that are screened against external radio waves and can be used to test advanced new wireless projects for the home. 


The company has already demonstrated new concepts for the 'Android@Home' brand, which would allow users of Google mobile phones to control light switches, music systems and domestic appliances. 


According to The Telegraph, Google is also modifying a separate lab as part of its advanced 'Project X' scheme and is set to include as yet unspecified 'precision optical technology'. 


It is also building new anechoic and thermal chambers to test sound and radiation patterns, the paper said. 


Google also plans to include a 'Google Experience Center', that would offer meeting rooms and a history of the company's achievements, aimed at major and prospective clients. 


The center will be able to cater for up to 900 VIPs, the report said. 


The project is part of an 800,000 square foot plan to refurbish Google's campus.

Twitter: Google search changes are 'bad for the internet'

Twitter has criticised Google after the internet giant implemented new features that are said to 'warp' search results. 


Google's new 'Search plus your world' feature, which combines Google search results with those from Google+, has been heavily criticised by Twitter's general counsel Alex Macgillivray, who is also a previous employee of Google.


Macgillivray tweeted from his account: 'Bad day for the Internet. Having been there, I can imagine the dissension at Google to search being warped this way.'


The changes, which are currently only active in the US, mean that logged-in Google+ users will primarily see results from the social network when they key in a search term.


Twitter has been angered by the fact that Google will show results for celebrity Google+ accounts but not for Facebook or Twitter ones.
A Twitter statement read: 'We’re concerned that, as a result of Google’s changes, finding this information will be much harder for everyone.
'We think that’s bad for people, publishers, news organisations and Twitter users.'


When speaking to Marketing Land, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt denied accusations that the new feature prioritised Plus over other social networks.


When launching the service, Google said: 'Search is still limited to a universe of web pages created publicly, mostly by people you’ve never met.


'Today, we’re changing that by bringing your world, rich with people and information, into search.


'We’re transforming Google into a search engine that understands not only content, but also people and relationships.


'We began this transformation with Social Search, and today we’re taking another big step in this direction.'


Industry expert Danny Sullivan criticised Google for the implementation of the new feature and said it was 'exactly the kind of thing that the antitrust people are screaming about'.


Google has responded to the criticism in a statement, saying: 'We are a bit surprised by Twitter's comments about Search plus Your World, because they chose not to renew their agreement with us last summer, and since then we have observed their rel=nofollow instructions. 
'We want to help you find the most relevant information from your friends and social connections, no matter what site it’s on. However, Google does not have access to fully crawl the content on some sites, so it’s not possible for us to surface all that information.'

Google homepage gets revamped

Google continues to revamp its products, and the latest in line to undergo a makeover is its homepage. Google has begun rolling out the new look of their search page. The upper horizontal bar is replaced by a Google logo in grey. Hover you cursor over it and click to find seven alternative services with an option to see eight more. Here again, we see Google is looking for a clutter-free design just like the neat look it chose to give its other products that underwent a facelift.

The rollout has been designed for an enhanced user experience, says a Google spokesperson. This would take users two steps to get to Images or News, but this is going to work in Google’s favour. Reportedly, Google is also being scrutinized for the way its own services are being displayed in search results. "A key question is whether Google is using its market power to steer users to its own web products or secondary services and discriminating against other websites with which it competes," Senators Herb Kohl and Mike Lee wrote.
The new design rollout is expected to reach only a limited number of users. Well, let’s see what else the Search giant has in store on the redesigning front.

Google Launching Nexus Tablet in the Next 6 Months

Google’s Eric Schmidt told an Italian newspaper that we will see a Nexus tablet in the next 6 months. Schmidt indicated to the paper “In the next six months we plan to market a tablet of the highest quality,” although he didn’t offer very many more details on what that would entail.


During the interview Schmidt also confirmed Google was working on a Siri competitor that would offer some of the same voice-controlled functionality as Siri does for the iPhone 4S.


Google worked with Motorola to release the first Honeycomb tablet, the Motorola Xoom. The Xoom didn’t do as well in sales as either had hoped, so it should be interesting to see what Google does differently with an Ice Cream Sandwich tablet.


Schmidt didn’t comment on who would be making the Nexus tablet, although its pending purchase of Motorola would give the company a definite advantage over the competition.


What would you like to see in a Nexus tablet? Who do you hope Google selects to make the device?

See the magic....