Google

I will openly admit to being kinda obsessed with Google. Now, I'm sure I don't utilize even HALF of the potential of their products, but I am way beyond "I just Googled ..." in reference to their search engine.

I really blame my more in-depth love affair with Google products on my friend Brenda (linked to her technology blog ... add it to your reader) - that girl is a Google genius and has opened a world of possibilities to me as she's sung the praises of Google. When I knew I was upgrading my phone back in August it was clear that I would kiss my BlackBerry goodbye and switch to an Android phone {iPhone not being an option with Verizon ... yet}. Before I bought my HTC Incredible (a perfect name for it, btw), I decided to streamline things and go Google. I started a Google Calendar, got a new personal Gmail address and added my contacts, added lots of blogs to my Google Reader, etc. The day I finally got my hands on a new phone they set it up and ALL of my information was immediately accessible. All of it. Every e-mail saved in folders, my entire calendar all color coded, my entire reader list, my chat list. I could forward all of my e-mail from my MSN personal e-mail account that I'd had for over 10 years and have it filtered into its' own folder. I could update my calendar online and have it reflected on my phone. I could add a contact in my phone and have it entered in my contacts online. Even better? It all syncs with my iCal and Address Book on my Mac computers ... *squeal*

Now, for fear of this sounding like a post about my love for my phone {which is another post for another day *wink*} I'm sticking with Google on this one. I love that Google allows me to communicate with family and friends in so many ways (e-mail, chat, video, blog). I love that it keeps me organized. I love that I can access my info from any computer or my phone. I love that Google Maps gets me where I want to go. I love that I can see my backyard from Google Earth. I am grateful for the bit of simplicity that Google has brought to my sometimes crazy life!!