Google Labs

What Is Google Labs?
Google labs it the testing ground where Google users can play around with prototypes of different ideas from engineers. You can try things out and offer feedback for improvement. Labs include all kinds of crazy and great ideas and can be used to increase your productivity, make your email simpler to use, and just have fun. What you see aren’t full-blown Google products, but the testing out of all kinds of ideas. Your comments and feedback can make a lab into a full blown product or kill it in its tracks.

What Google Labs Have Gone Big?
Curious about what started out in the lab that has gone on to become a full-blown Google product? Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Google Reader: Google Reader lets you read all of your favorite blogs in one convenient place.
2. iGoogle: iGoogle lets you customize your Google experience to the max. You can receive RSS feeds, check your Gmail, see the weather, and play Sudoku, all on your homepage.
3. Google Maps: Get where you need to go.
4. Similar Images: Let’s you find an image and then find similar images. Nice.
5. Google Docs: Don’t have MS Word or Excel? Fear not. You can use Google Docs to create text documents and spreadsheets.

Check out the full list of Google Labs Alumni.

What’s your favorite?