What does Alphabet mean for Google?

Google has shocked the business world with the announcement that it has created a new parent company, Alphabet. As the technology company begins separating many of its businesses under the new structure, what current Google companies might be affected by this change?

Google itself: The company will continue to exist in its own right and run its core features, including search engine, maps, apps, YouTube and Android. The big change here is the forthcoming appointment of Sundar Pichai as CEO, replacing Google co-founder Larry Page, who will stay on as CEO of Alphabet.

Calico: The research and development company, whose mission is to “harness advanced technologies to increase our understanding of the biology that controls lifespan”, focuses on major long-term research that aims to increase our lifespan.

Nest: One of Google’s highest-profile transactions was the purchase of this smart thermostat company in 2014 for $3.2 billion. An expanded line of internet-connected products includes smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and in-home security cameras.

Fiber: First launched in 2010 in Kansas City and now looking to expand to a dozen cities across the United States, Fiber promises download speeds of up to 1000mbps to its subscriber base, ten times the speed of the country’s fastest ISP.

Google Ventures: This outfit has always invested in companies independently of its parent company, and that shouldn’t change under the new structure. It was through Google Ventures that Nest was acquired in 2014, and they have invested in companies like Uber, Medium and Slack.

Google Capital: Google’s investment arm focuses on emerging, long-term technology, and has invested in companies such as SurveyMonkey, Duolingo and Glassdoor.

Google X: Giant balloons floating 20 miles above the Earth, capable of delivering internet throughout the world? A self-driving car? Google Glass? These are the projects that are dreamed up and developed by Google X. Part of this is Life Sciences, which is currently working on a contact lens designed to measure glucose levels in people with diabetes.

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Author: Murray Nicol is a Digital Manager at the World Economic Forum.

Image: Letters spell the word “Alpahbet” as they are seen on a computer screen with a Google search page in this photo illustration taken in Paris, France, August 11, 2015. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol