Google’s new Nexus 5 and Google Glass are always hot topics in IT circles. The company has been constantly updating and improving its services, including Search, Google Now, Google Maps and Chrome. It’s worth all the attention and discussion.

Instead of providing answers to questions about history, the weather or other obvious topics of interest, Google is trying to tackle queries such as: “How do I get my dog used to my grilfriend’s cat?” and “Why was my daughter mad at me?” That represents the next stage of search and future trends, even if it’s all at a nascent stage at present.

“It’s a path of search development from answer, converse to anticipate. It (search) becomes more intelligent and personal,” said Kentaro Tokusei, Google product management director.

No one can deny Google’s influence. In mobile sectors, it has developed the Android system, used by more than 80 percent of smartphones globally. On Apple’s iOS platform, Google also has developed high-quality applications, like Google Search and Google Maps.

On devices, Google offers its cross-platform Chrome browser for both Windows and Mac users as well as mobile users. It’s also developing Google Glass and self-driving cars. Google is upgrading Chrome every six weeks.

Dependent on strong technology, wide coverage and considerable market share, Google services have and will continue to shape our daily lives. Google Now, which is the pearl of all Google tools in my opinion, represents the company’s vision on the latest IT trends in social, mobile, big data analysis and cloud computing.

On my iPhone 5s, its Google Search application offers card-size notification and reminders from weather reports to stock prices, appointments to friends’ birthdays. It also supports voice recognition. It can help people discover activities by showing you events happening around you, suggesting websites and information that may interest you. You’ll also see cards for currency conversions, translations and flight status.

In simple words, it actively offers you customized answers and information before you type keywords in the search box in the traditional way. If you don’t want some cards, you can easily remove them through finger swipe.

There are cutting-edge technologies behind the service. Google saves your information and preferences through cloud servers. It brings you information for potential requests and questions through big data analysis. With your permission, Google — with social tool Google Plus and Google Maps — knows your location, social networking patterns and other information through mobile devices. The best thing: the accuracy rate will greatly improve after repeated use and effective feedback, which is also based on cloud computing and big data services.

On the issue of security, Google said a user can choose whether or not to share information when using its services. Information a user chooses not to share cannot be accessed by marketing firms.

Take that interesting question about dogs and cats getting along. Google will give you more related answers, knowing who your girlfriend is and the type of dog involved. It’s automatic in seconds.

I think all this is a fight-back by Google after social websites like Facebook, which have huge user data, launched search services. But Google officials haven’t publicly admitted that strategy.

In July, Facebook launched Graph Search, which allows users to find people, photos, places, and interests to connect with millions of people. The social-based search was widely regarded as a potential threat to Google in IT circles.

After all, no one can deny Google’s applications have become part of the daily lives of most people, touching work, entertainment, travel, education and art. Google demonstrated its reach at an event held in Taipei recently.

It reminds me a favorite quote from Larry Page, Google’s founder:

“The perfect search engine would understand exactly what you mean and give you back exactly what you want.” 

Last but not at least, don’t forget to use VPN when using Google services in the Chinese mainland. In my test, everything works well except YouTube, which requires high bandwidth.

Here are some Google Apps worth exploring:

For Work: Google Drive, Hangout, Google Keep

The application often neglected by people is Google Keep, which is a combination of an online to-do list and document folders. It allows users to take notes and photos, create lists and make voice recordings. People can also keep color-coded notes and create simple checklists to organize tasks.

The biggest advantage of Google Keep is the connection with other popular tools used by millions of people, like Gmail, Internet browser Chrome, Google Drive supporting 15 gigabyte of free storage, and Hangout, supporting video conferencing of up to 10 people.

For travel and entertainment: Google Maps, Google Translate and YouTube, Google Plus

Hidden and useful features are added into the upgraded Google Maps, popular for free voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, and clean and simple design. By the way, I think Google Maps on iPhone is better designed than the application on Android.

The new features allow users to get indoor views of many malls, shops and restaurants to scope out that dinner location with activating Street View. The latest Explore feature helps you find great places to eat, drink, sleep, play and shop nearby, automatically instead of having to type words to search.

During a “trip,” Google Maps and Google Translate will help you find destinations, while Google Plus and YouTube allow you to share moments with friends.

For education and art:

Compared with Gmail and search, fewer people know Google’s non-profit project called Google Cultural Institute. It’s in three categories — World Wonders, the Art Project and Historical Moments. These collections bring together millions of cultural experiences and let you explore them online via a virtual museum. In China, people can visit museums like the Chengdu-based Jinsha Site Museum, with 81 works including the well-known golden mask. Each work is in high-definition picture display with bilingual explanations.