Google hits the big 1-0

Google has come a long way from its humble Stanford beginnings

Hot on the heels of its entry into the web browser market with Chrome, internet giant Google celebrates its tenth birthday today.

The firm was started by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin in a Stanford dorm room, and then run out of a suburban garage.

From these lowly beginnings Google has come to dominate the web search market, expanding into enterprise search, messaging, blogging, social networking and recently the Android mobile phone platform.

• 10 things we love or hate about Google

Traditionally eschewed by enterprise IT buyers, Google products are increasingly seen as a viable proposition.

For example its hosted Google Apps Premier Edition now offers enterprise grade security functionality courtesy of the acquisition of Postini last year.

Now headquartered in Mountain View, California, the firm is valued at approximately £74bn.

• First Look: Google Chrome