Over 1,100 Communities Compete for Fast Google Fiber

By Nick Mokey March 29, 2010

Want Google to fire up ultra-fast fiberoptic Internet service in your town? Get in line. According to Google, over 1,100 communities submitted requests to be considered as test beds for its experimental fiber network.

The deadline to file passed last week, with city responses nearly doubling in the final hours. Google will now consult with local officials and third-party organizations to help winnow its choices. Eventually it will select one or more spots to lay down fiber for between 50,000 and 500,000 users, giving them speed approximately 100 times faster than what most Americans currently have access to.

Recommended Videos

A map posted by Google depicts every hopeful fiber candidate with small dots, and big dots for cities that had over 1,000 citizens respond.

Topeka, Kansas made waves earlier this month when it changed its name to Google, but other cities have piled on with the publicity stunts. The mayor of Duluth, Minnesota jumped into the icy waters of Lake Superior for it. The mayor of Sarasota, Florida jumped into a shark tank for it. Citizens in Greenville, South Carolina formed “Google” out of 2,000 LED glowsticks.

Google claims it will announce its final target communities by the end of 2010.

Top photo credit: Michael Bergen, AidJoy.org

Topics

Google

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Computing

A zero-day Google Chrome security flaw requires you to update now

Google Chrome opened on a laptop.

Google released an update to its Chrome browser for Windows and Mac users, and the internet giant strongly recommends that users apply the update as soon as possible. The update contains 14 security fixes -- including a zero-day security flaw -- that if left unchecked would leave the system vulnerable to attacks. Google categorized these fixes as critical, high, and medium importance.

Windows and Mac users who also surf the internet with the Chrome browser will want to make sure that they're on version 91.0.4472.101. To make sure that you're on the latest build of Chrome, launch your browser and then click on the three dots stacked vertically at the top right. Navigate to Settings, and then click About Chrome. From there, you'll be able to view the Chrome version number, and you can update the browser if it wasn't automatically updated in the background.

Web

Here’s how the Google logo has changed over the last 20 years

The colorful Google logo is one of the most recognizable global brands ever created. Sure, it looked a bit rough in the beginning, but Google's clever refinements over the last two decades show an interesting transition that now results in the crisp, clear icon we know and love today.

If you're feeling nostalgic or simply curious about the brand's visual timeline, here's a look back at how the Google logo has changed over the last 20 years. Enjoy!
Humble beginnings
The very first version of the Google logo was never going to win any design awards. Likely created using one of the standalone 3D text generators sold in the 1990s, it's a real reminder of just how ugly the early days of the internet could be.

Computing

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook vs. Google Pixelbook: Here’s what $1,000 gets you

We compare two premium Chrome OS devices. Which is best?

samsung galaxy chromebook 4k amoled ces 2020 hands on price photos video release date 01

If you're looking for a high-end Chromebook in 2020, there's no shortage of devices to choose from. You can pick Google's own Pixelbook, the newer Pixelbook Go, or one from another manufacturer like Samsung or HP.

But never, until now, has there been a true competitor to the Pixelbook. More recently, though, the company announced the new Galaxy Chromebook, priced at $1,000 to match the Pixelbook's price. And, with its beautiful 4K OLED screen, this new Chrome OS 2-in-1 has more than what it takes to go up against Google's own Pixelbook.