Students that aren’t “Googling” now may be diehard fans of the site by the end of the semester.
The search engine, started in a garage by two university students in 1998, has launched a series of free online products and services aimed specifically for college students. Google Talk, Google Scholar, and Gmail are all being aimed at the college audience.
“We think that our mission aligns with university students,” said Debbie Jaffe, the group product marketing manager.
Google Talk is an instant messaging service that utilizes voice technology, while Google Scholar is a massive database of information configured especially for students. The company has said its archives are three times larger than any of its competitions.
Jaffe said most students would probably enjoy the convenience that a virtual library offers.
“We don’t close at 2 a.m.,” she said. “It saves them time and they can do it at whatever time they want.”
Gmail is perhaps the biggest part of the new services. Any student with an .edu e-mail address is eligible for a Gmail account. Gmail has a built-in search feature, which can be used as a second hard drive and contains unlimited storage.
Some said they like the idea of having a site devoted exclusively to their lives and interests. Jessie Cushman, a Detroit sophomore, said he already is a big fan of Google and uses it for all his classes, especially when he has to do research.
“I tend to use Google a little more often than other search engines,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s sort of like a parental guideline.”
Cushman said Google searches help students research efficiently.
Mount Pleasant senior Heather Rosan said anything that makes research better is good with her. Rosan said she had already heard about the new Google site and that she plans to start using it soon.
“People always know that if you want to find something, you can find it on Google,” she said.
Google representatives said students also will be able to find search tips and tricks on the Web site. They include an online calculator, glossary, Q&A, language translator and tips on how to research effectively.
Other students are skeptical about whether or not it’ll have a big impact.
Grayling sophomore Kip Franklin thinks the www.google.com’s new features will only get moderate usage.
“College students will pick and choose,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be that much better than what we have right now.”
Franklin said while the new services may not have a huge impact for the majority of college students, he certainly will be using it.
Google has not said if any more products will come out of this new university site.