Google on Friday announced it would be shuttering Helpouts, the Hangout-based expert video chat service, on April 20. The service let users talk to experts via Google Hangouts and get a solution to their problem for a fee.
Google launched Helpouts in November 2013 and further rolled out its remote learning app in April last year. In a post explaining the reason behind the shutdown, Google said, "The Helpouts community includes some engaged and loyal contributors, but unfortunately, it hasn't grown at the pace we had expected. Sadly, we've made the tough decision to shut down the product."
Helpout users would be able to download their history by using Google Takeout from April 20, the date of the shutdown, until November 1 this year.
Google Helpouts, the video tutorial service based on Google Hangouts, lets users pay for live video chats with experts who can provide everything from step-by-step turkey cooking instructions, to marriage counselling. When introduced, the service had roughly 1000 partners to advice on topics like fashion, fitness, computers and other topics via one-on-one live video chats.
Even as it is shutting down Helpouts, there have been reports that Google might be launching a similar video support service for Google Play customers. Google last week reportedly confirmed to TechCrunch it was testing a Helpouts-like service to answer queries of those looking to buy smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks listed on the Google Play store's Devices section. Unlike Helpouts, the rumoured service is expected to be free.
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