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He said Google Talk Chatback had become "outdated" and functions were now served by its Meebo toolbar.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. Realme 16 Pro+ 5G Retail Box Reveals Price in India Weeks Before Launch
  2. Realme Pad 3 5G to Launch Alongside the Realme 16 Pro Series
  3. OnePlus Nord 6 Visits Certification Website, Could Launch Soon
  4. Why Apple Might Pay a 230 Percent Premium for iPhone 17 Pro RAM in 2026
  5. iPhone Fold Seen in Leaked Renders With Pixel-Fold Like Design
  1. Xiaomi 17 Ultra Launching Today: Know Price, Features, Specifications and More
  2. South Korean Startup Innospace Fails on First Orbital Launch Attempt of Hanbit-Nano Rocket
  3. Failing Starlink Satellite Photographed in Orbit Before Fiery Reentry
  4. Russia Patents Rotating Space Station Concept to Generate Artificial Gravity in Orbit
  5. Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Shows Wobbling Jets in Rare Sun-Facing Tail, Surprising Astronomers
  6. Magnetic Control of Lithium Enables Safer, High-Capacity “Dream Battery” Without Explosion Risk
  7. Vritta OTT Release Date Revealed: Know When and Where to Watch it Online
  8. Rajini Gaang OTT Release Date: Know When and Where to Watch it Online
  9. De De Pyaar De 2 OTT Release Update: Know Everything About Streaming, Plot, Cast, and More
  10. Baahubali: The Epic Now Available for Streaming Online: Everything You Need to Know
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.