The word alphabet - well that's been around a little longer. As have Google's ambitions for growth - Wikipedia lists 182 acquisitions alone, in addition to the company's core business.

Alphabet Inc - Google's new parent company - will make the tech giant's activities "cleaner and more accountable", said its chief executive (and one of Google's original founders) Larry Page in a blog post announcing the news.

Mr Page admitted that from the outset, some of Google's interests "might seem very speculative or even strange" for the firm.

"We are still trying to do things other people think are crazy but we are super-excited about," he said.

More detail of the surprise restructure is expected in the coming weeks, but here's a brief guide to Alphabet's core areas of activity so far....more

Source: Zoe Kleinman Technology reporter, BBC News