10 useful free Google tools

Google made its name as a search engine but, over the years, it has also built up a selection of free online tools. The benefits it offers range from a better way to find things online, to full-blown programs that rival expensive commercial software. In this article, we will introduce you to 10 of the best.

Before we delve into our top 10 Google tools, it’s best to point out that although most are based online and run within a browser, there are some that need to be downloaded and installed just like a standard application.

Most tools also require you to be logged into a Google account; if you don’t already have an account, create a free one at Google's website.

Translate

Google Translate is an incredibly easy-to-use service that recognises more than 50 different languages. All you need do is copy the text you want translated and paste it into the text box.

Translate will attempt to detect the source language for you but you can specify this if you prefer. The translation will then appear to the right; if it doesn’t, click the Translate button. Click the Listen button, and both the source and translated text will be read out loud.

If you have a large document to be translated, it’s also possible to upload a complete text file and have the whole thing translated in one go; just click the Translate a document link.

As with all automatic translation tools, results aren’t always perfect, but it’s a great way to get the gist of what foreign text says without having to spend time learning a new language. We wouldn’t advise using it to write emails and documents in a language you don’t speak, though.

Reader

Keeping track of the latest updates on your favourite websites isn’t always easy, and visiting each one at a time can be time-consuming. RSS feeds are a simple way to get quick and timely updates and are offered by the majority of websites. Google’s Reader tool helps out further by collating all your feeds into a single page, making it easy to stay on top of the news that’s pertinent to you.

Even if you’ve never used an RSS feed before, setting Reader up isn’t tricky. Open Reader and, on the left side of the page, click Add a Subscription. You can search for a relevant RSS feed by entering a term such as ‘computeractive’ and clicking on the Subscribe button next to the one you want.

Alternatively, if you know the RSS feed’s address, simply paste it into the box. All updates for your RSS feeds will now appear in the main Reader window.

Reader also makes it possible to pick individual stories from feeds and share them with other Reader users. To do this, open the relevant story within Reader and click on the Share link at the bottom.