Internet giant Google has reported rising profits in the
first three months of the year, boosted by online
advertising revenue. The company also underlined its focus
on new technology.
Google's net profit climbed to $3.35bn in the first three
months of the year, up 16% from a year earlier, boosted by
online advertising revenue. The company's overall revenues
reached nearly $14bn for the quarter. That is up from
$10.7bn during the same period last year.
Google is also pushing beyond its roots as a desktop-based
search business to enter new ad-driven markets, including
smartphones, Web services and video, stepping up competition
with Apple and Microsoft.
The Google co-founder and chief executive discussed his
company's big bets such as YouTube, Android and Chrome, but
focused on more speculative bets such as Google Glass and
Google Fiber during a conference call with analysts.
"Companies tend to get comfortable doing what they've always
done, with only a few minor tweaks. It's only natural to
work on the things you know," Page said.
Google still remains 80% focused on search and other
businesses that drive the company's success, Page said.
Page also mentioned Google Fiber, which he said the company
undertook because co-founder Sergey Brin wanted to show how
speedy Internet access could change people's lives.
He also made reference to Google handing out the first pairs
of Google Glass to software developers.
"I get chills when I use technology of the future," he said,
"and that happens with Glass."
And he's expecting new and better mobile devices that have
longer battery life and phones that don't shatter when you
drop them.
"There's real potential to invent new and better
experiences. Having just seen Motorola's upcoming products
myself, I'm pretty enthusiastic," Page said, refering to the
upcoming Google X Phone. Previously, Google CEO Eric Schmidt
had confirmed the upcoming phone,
which are expected to be very robust due to its carbon
fiber shell.