Google+ integrates into Gmail, search now in Google Drive

Google closer to becoming one single service

Right now, Google has many services under a single umbrella – Gmail, Google+, Google Play, Google Chrome, Google Drive, GCal and more. But as the design of each becomes more like the other and integration continues between services, the company appears closer and closer to becoming one single service.

Google Drive gets Google Search

Google Docs recently became Google Drive (the new cloud storage service and collaboration tool) and now offers a search sidebar when using Drive as a means of improving efficiency with use so that users can research while in Drive. Imagine creating a spreadsheet about popular smartphones, and while working are able to search from the same window without having to open a new tab.

Next time you are in a document, go to tools and select “Research” or simply use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Alt+R” to access a sidebar within the document. It behaves just as search, allowing users to search everything on the web, or immediately access icons to limit the search to images, quotes, and more.

Gmail gets Google+

Gmail already features Google+ profiles and status updates in the sidebar of the person you are emailing with, but now further integration has been added to Gmail. New features include quick access to contact details when viewing past conversations, as well as deeper integration with Google+ circles.

Google says that when you search for an email address, search results include that person’s profile photo and all communications with them. Additionally, when you select a circle while in Gmail, you’ll see profile photos of people in that circle on top of the page and when clicked, you’ll go directly to search results with contact details. Circles are now supported in search in filters, and can be found by typing in search “circle:[circle name]”

Confirming our assertion

In a statement, Google said, “These updates are helping us to provide a more consistent, beautiful experience across all of our products.” Not only does this confirm our continued assertion that Google seeks to integrate its products into one another, there is a good chance that over time, we won’t say “Google+ and Gmail,” or “GCal and Google Drive,” rather we’ll just say “Google” which implies all of their services as they appear consistent and as they integrate more deeply into one another, they become one.