Written on 05 July 2012 by In their blog yesterday, Google informed everyone that they will be spring cleaning this summer. Essentially a move to shut down outdated products and to integrate others into existing products as features, Google’s regular spring cleaning started last fall. This latest spring cleaning involves several closures which, as Google says, allows them to make the best out of technology and focus on opportunities that create the best impact. These closures include Google Mini, Google Talk Chatback, Google Video, iGoogle and the Symbian Search App.
First launched in 2005, Google Mini has formed part of Google’s Enterprise Search since its introduction. Due to the better capabilities of Google Search Appliance and Google Commerce Search, however, Google Mini will be discontinued starting July 31. Customers who have existing Google Mini contracts will continue to receive tech support but changes are to be expected.
In favor of Meebo bar, which Google has acquired last month, Google Talk Chatback will also be closed down. This product allowed for the embedding of a Google Talk widget in websites, but after the recent Meebo acquisition it will be permanently turned off.
Users of Google Video are encouraged to move their content to YouTube starting late this summer until August 20. Since Google Video has not been receiving uploads beginning May 2009, its closure and subsequent content migration to YouTube is to be expected.
iGoogle will follow the same fate, as it will also be permanently closed down on November 1, 2013. First introduced in 2005, iGoogle offered users a selection of personalized apps from weather reports to calorie converters to fun games. Now that current apps are being offered through Chrome and Android (mobile), the need for iGoogle is no longer as pronounced as it was several years ago.
Finally, Google will also be closing down their Symbian Search App. Users are encouraged to switch to web, as Google is bent on improving mobile web search for everyone.
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