This week, Google has announced that it will be closing 10 of its experimental services, including Aardvark, the start-up created by ex-Googlers and acquired by Google back in February 2010. Other services to be closed include Google Desktop, which will be closing on September 14th, and Google Maps API for Flash.
Additional Services Being Discontinued
Other closures include Google Fast Flip, which was started to help pioneer news content browsing and reading experiences for the web and mobile devices. Google Fast Flip allowed users to quickly flip through news articles, simulating the experience of reading a physical newspaper. Despite its innovative approach, it did not gain the traction Google had hoped for.
Google Pack, another service being discontinued, was a collection of software tools and applications bundled together for easy download and installation. It included popular software like Google Earth, Google Toolbar, and antivirus programs. However, with the rise of app stores and more streamlined software distribution methods, Google Pack has become obsolete.
Google Web Security, a service aimed at providing web security solutions for businesses, is also on the chopping block. This service offered protection against malware and phishing attacks, but Google has decided to integrate these features into other products.
Google Notebook, which allowed users to clip and organize information from the web, will also be shut down. Google Notebook was an early attempt at creating a digital note-taking tool, but it has since been overshadowed by more advanced tools like Google Keep and Google Docs.
You can view a full list of all ten experimental services that Google is closing the doors on over on the Google Blog post.
Reallocation of Resources
Google explains that developers working on these projects will be moved over to work on Google’s new Google+ social network, which is currently still in beta, and other high-impact projects. Google+ aims to compete with other social networks by offering unique features like Circles, Hangouts, and Sparks. By reallocating resources, Google hopes to accelerate the development and improvement of Google+ and other key initiatives.
“Over the next few months we’ll be shutting down a number of products and merging others into existing products as features.” – “It will also mean we can devote more resources to high-impact products—the ones that improve the lives of billions of people. All the Googlers working on these projects will be moved over to higher-impact products.”
This strategic move is part of Google’s broader effort to streamline its product offerings and focus on services that have the potential to make a significant impact. By discontinuing less successful or redundant services, Google can concentrate its efforts on innovations that align with its long-term vision.
For instance, Google has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning, areas that promise to revolutionize various industries. Projects like Google Assistant, which leverages AI to provide personalized assistance, and Google Cloud, which offers robust cloud computing solutions, are examples of high-impact products that benefit from increased resource allocation.
Moreover, Google’s commitment to improving its core services, such as Search, YouTube, and Android, remains unwavering. These platforms continue to evolve, incorporating new technologies and features to enhance user experience and maintain their competitive edge.
In conclusion, while the closure of these experimental services may disappoint some users, it reflects Google’s strategic prioritization of resources. By focusing on high-impact projects and integrating valuable features into existing products, Google aims to drive innovation and deliver solutions that benefit a broader audience.
Source: Google
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