RIP iGoogle, Google continues its cleaning act

Advertisement
By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 4 July 2012 10:32 IST
Google said Tuesday it was discontinuing its iGoogle page designed as Web "portal," saying it had become less relevant in the age of the mobile Internet.

The portal, which allowed users to personalize their start page, will be cut in November 2013 and was among a handful of products axed by the California tech giant.

"Technology creates tremendous opportunities to improve people's lives. But to make the most of them, we need to focus -- or we end up doing too much and not having the impact we strive for," Google's Matt Eichner said in a blog post.

"So last fall we started a spring clean, and since then we've closed or combined more than 30 products. Today we're announcing a few more closures."

Advertisement

Among other products being eliminated was the Google Mini search service for businesses, Google Talk Chatback and Google Video.

Advertisement

Eichner said users will be given time to go without iGoogle.

"We originally launched iGoogle in 2005 before anyone could fully imagine the ways that today's Web and mobile apps would put personalized, real-time information at your fingertips," he said.

Advertisement

"With modern apps that run on platforms like Chrome and Android, the need for iGoogle has eroded over time, so we'll be winding it down.

"Users will have 16 months to adjust or export their data."

Advertisement

He said Google Talk Chatback had become "outdated" and functions were now served by its Meebo toolbar.

Google Video stopped taking uploads in May 2009 and by Aug 20, the remaining content will be transferred to YouTube, which Google acquired in 2006.

The Symbian search app, which duplicated Google's own search, will also be discontinued.

"Closing products always involves tough choices, but we do think very hard about each decision and its implications for our users," Eichner said.

"Streamlining our services enables us to focus on creating beautiful technology that will improve people's lives."

 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. DoT's SIM Binding Rule Explained: How Messaging Apps Will Verify Users
  2. Here's When the Poco C85x 5G Will be Launched in India
  3. Google Pixel 10a With 5,100mAh Battery Goes on Sale in India: See Offers
  4. Google Pixel 10a Review: More of the Same?
  5. Realme C83 5G Debuts in India With a 7,000mAh Battery at This Price
  6. WhatsApp Now Lets You Discover Stickers While Typing Emoji
  7. OTT Releases This Week: Gandhi Talks, Subedaar, War Machine, Hello Bachhon, and More
  8. The Upcoming Poco X8 Pro Series Could be Launched Globally on This Date
  9. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion Launched in India With 50-Megapixel Sony LYT-710 Camera
  1. Vivo X300 Max With Zeiss Cameras and Android 16 Spotted at MWC 2026, Could Launch Soon
  2. WhatsApp Update Introduces Support for Discovering Stickers While Typing Emoji: How It Works
  3. This AI-Powered Portable Device Claims to Detect Microphones and Jam Audio Recordings
  4. Poco X8 Pro Series Global Launch Date Leaked Ahead of Anticipated Debut: Expected Price, Specifications
  5. MacBook Neo Geekbench Scores Indicate It Performs on Par With iPhone 16 Pro Max
  6. Xiaomi Testing Experimental AI Agent Miclaw, Can Perform Complex Tasks Across Devices
  7. Dear Radhi OTT Release: Where to Watch the Tamil Thriller Online?
  8. With Love Now Streaming on Netflix: Know Everything About Plot, Cast, and More
  9. Kaattaan OTT Release Date Confirmed: When and Where to Watch Vijay Sethupathi Starrer Online?
  10. OnePlus 15T Display Size, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor Confirmed; Geekbench Listing Hints at Chip, Memory
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.