Pichai got recognition when he initiated a toolbar, an add-on that gave browsers a handy Google search box. That modest project eventually led to Google Chrome, now used by 310 million people by Google's tally. The project got Pichai promoted to senior vice president of Chrome and Apps. And it's what led to a very lucrative new source of profit for the company.
During early years of his stint with Google, he worked largely behind the scenes as director of product development. In addition to the Toolbar, he was linked to desktop products like Google Gears and Google Pack, a collection of software Page introduced at CES 2006 that was another step in bringing Google's services to the desktop in the pre-Chrome days.
Under Pichai's direction, Google was ready to introduce the Chrome browser to the world. At the time of booming smartphone market, Google had a clear idea: to take Chrome into the world of desktop users and then to the mobile users.
