"The recent changes we made to our privacy policies generated a lot of interest. But they will enable us to create a much better, more intuitive experience across Google--our key focus for the year," he wrote.

Page's letter also points to challenges Google faces as a large company, one that critics have said no longer moves as quickly as it once did. "Google is a large company now, but we will achieve more, and do it faster, if we approach life with the passion and soul of a start-up," he wrote. Later he wrote that "most large companies are not well-loved" and that "We have always wanted Google to be a company that is deserving of great love."

Page didn't say exactly how the company would retain the "passion and soul of a start-up" at its size, but he noted that he has closed or combined more than 30 products in the past year and said he would "focus on the big bets." However, his letter, which offers updates on only a subset of Google products yet stretches to seven pages in a Word document, doesn't necessarily reflect a streamlined company.

His letter also reveals another challenge Google faces: its acquisition of Motorola. The deal, when it closes, gives Google access to important patents that Motorola controls. "We are excited about the opportunities to build great devices capitalizing on the tremendous success and growth of Android and Motorola's long history of technological innovation," he wrote.

The acquisition, however, has worried vendors that compete with Motorola who wonder if Motorola will get a leg up as a Google company. Page sought to calm those fears. "But it's important to reiterate that openness and investment by many hardware partners have contributed to Android's success. So we look forward to working with all of them in the future to deliver outstanding user experiences," he wrote.