I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Google in every single Tech talk post so far. This is partly because I love Google [It's not that I'm a fanboy, it's that they can do everything better than everyone else [Okay, I'm a little bit of a fanboy but I don't hesitate to admit when they do stupid stuff [Yes, these are nested parenthesis]]]. Let’s get into it. First the software:

• Google just bought the successful online photo editor, Picnik [TechCrunch]. Picnik’s existing service is integrated into several photo sharing sites like Flickr already but Picasa’s online editing options have been pretty sparse. Whether the existing Picnik experience will be embedded in Picasa, whether a new product will be created, and whether Google will pull Picnik for their existing affiliates remains to be seen. Personally, I would only edit my photos online as a last resort, but it’s still a great step forward for Picasa.
• Google Chrome has back-end changes in the pipes as well [TechCrunch].  New API’s, currently available only to the dev channel, will allow access to previously cosed components of the browser like processes and history. You may be aware that Chrome has a built in task manager. This is because every tab and plug-in is run in a separate system process, localizing any crashes that might occur. This means that if Flash freezes, you don’t loose your browser or even the page with the Flash app. You only have to restart the plug-in. Access to this data will allow developers to make smarter, more resource efficient extensions as well as replacements for the task manager. Access to the browsing history will lead to similar results. Extensions will be able to make more personalized recommendations based on your browsing ass well as replacements for the native web history.
• This one is a little older so I’ll be brief, but Google Calendar is getting a facelift [TechCrunch]. As Jason Kincaid mentions in his post, the changes appear to be purely aesthetic but this is based only on a screenshot of a build from within Google.

Now for the hardware side [Yes, Google does more than software, but most of it is enterprise specific. The Nexus One, and the Alert-Me/PowerMeter are their only consumer devices so far, although an in-house Chrome OS tablet/netbook is expected later this year]:

• Google has sponsored free WiFi in airports and in their hometown of Mountain View for some time but after being embarrassed by how slow America’s internet is relative to other countries, they decided to take action. They are starting a small [50,000 to 500,000 homes] experimental ISP based on fiber [Engadget]. It will offer 1Gbps connections at competitive rates. That is faster than the current average US speed be several orders of magnitude. Google is not expected to expand this service very much, rather is will do the research to speed up the internet, force the current ISP leaders to either do the same or buy the tech and the pipes from Google.
• On the alternative energy front, Google has always been an industry leader in green tech. They have some of the most efficient data centers and their headquarters in completely covered in solar panels among many other initiatives [See here for a complete list]. Most recently they have developed a new mirror technology for use in solar thermal farms that could cut cost in half [Reuters via TreeHugger]. Two companies that Google invested in several years back are expected to start rolling it out almost immediately. This is one of their larger pet projects, details at Google.org.

Last but definitely not least, the latest Engadget Show is online for RSS, streaming, iTunes, Zune, and HD download. The more frequent Engadget podcast is my favorite tech talk show after Buzz Out Loud and the Engadget Show is just amazing. Description and download links below:

Truly our craziest show yet. In case you didn’t tune into the livestream of The Engadget Show on Saturday (and if you somehow didn’t hear about the news), then you’re in for a real treat. The crew gets especially wild on this episode while talking Hulu and plans for world domination with Boxee’s Avner Ronen, revealing the first partner handset for Windows Phone 7 Series with Microsoft’s Aaron Woodman, and playing around with the Dell Mini 5, as well as the forthcoming Engadget app for Android. Oh, and there’s also a fascinating short piece on chiptune music and visuals and the folks who make the magic happen. If you do one thing today, make it The Engadget Show. You won’t be sorry.

Click here for the downloads, stream, and more details.