Google's interactive forums and tech days are always an inspirational hub for our industry in SA.

We attended G-South Africa on Friday 4th of November in Joburg – the event focused on Google Chrome, Android, Google Maps, AppEngine and Google Apps.

A nice opportunity to explore Google's open source technologies through tech talks, breakout sessions and codelabs run by engineers from across the globe.

Plastic Soldiers Jhb's Thomas Davies said: "While it was reassuring to know we are well on track with many of the Google Maps and Android developments, I thought Nelson Mattos, the keynote speaker was excellent.  It was also great to get an opportunity to chat to some of the google developers about their experiences in launching new services and products."

Some interesting facts and Mobile and Internet usage stats in South Africa and Africa have been shared and tweeted at the event. 

•  By 2013, there will be more search *queries* in South Africa from mobile devices, than from desktops
   
• A million views on YouTube translates into approx $3 million in advertising revenue according to Google
   
• Users research products online before they purchase offline
   
• One Third of South Africa’s top 100 advertisers do not advertise online
   
• Search for Jobs /Education in South Africa have grown 57% year on year over last 4 years
   
• YouTube will be available in Afrikaans and Zulu from today
   
• Africa will be the largest labour population in 2015. If Africa is going to be competitive, people need to be connected
   
• Approximately 925,000 smartphones are being activated every single day
   
• In South Africa 48 hours of video is uploaded every minute on YouTube
   
• Only 23% of South African YouTube users are under 24
   
• According to Google users go online for 1. Entertainment, 2. Enlightenment 3. Information
   
• 25% of searches done during the week come from mobile devices which increases to 65% over the weekend
   
• 70% of online South Africans find websites via search engines
   
• 60% of online South Africans believe search helps them find products they are looking for
   
• South African Google Search queries have increased by 5 times in the last 5 years
   
• There are currently 31 million Internet-capable phones in South Africa.
   
• By 2020 about 20 million South African will be internet users.
   
• Google’s Africa strategy is to improve access (infrastructure, cashing, education), make services relevant and sustainable.
   
• 27% of South African smartphone users are doing price and product comparisons
   
• There are more smartphone users in South African than DSTV subscribers
   
• Research show that a webpage that loads for more than 2 seconds causes a loss in sales
   
• There is a YouTube reach of 47% in South Africa