That is each product Google killed in 2024

One of many issues Google is notorious for is launching a product to nice fanfare, solely to kill it off when it isn’t instantly profitable. Stadia is a main instance. In some instances, even the fanfare was by no means there — does anybody keep in mind Neighbourly? Most likely not, however you may need if Google had really put some cash and advertising behind it.

A number of extra merchandise have been added to the Google Graveyard in 2024. A couple of of those will be blamed on Google’s dangerous habits, however in different instances the corporate transitioned individuals over to new merchandise, whether or not they wished it or not. For instance, you may now be shopping for a Google TV Streamer as a substitute of a Chromecast.

1 Eager

The Pinterest that by no means had an opportunity

Google

Eager was doomed from the beginning — I have been a tech journalist for many years, and I missed its launch, a lot much less that it was nonetheless going. It first arrived in 2020 as a competitor to Pinterest. The one sensible variations, nonetheless, have been its ties to Google, and pinboards being renamed to “keens.”

The lesson is one which recreation publishers have discovered with the glut of failed “stay service” video games, comparable to Harmony and Suicide Squad. Should you launch a product that is no higher than what everyone seems to be already utilizing, nobody’s going to trouble to modify over, particularly for those who do not put it on the market.

Associated

5 reasons why Concord crashed and burned after just 10 days

The pace with which Harmony went offline is jarring however not solely stunning.

2 Nest Safe

Leaving householders within the lurch

Whereas we would giggle about among the issues Google kills off, this one had critical ramifications. Nest Safe was the corporate’s residence alarm system, revolving round a keypad hub paired to door and window sensors. The product wasn’t migrated from the Nest app to Google Residence and the hub was bricked in April 2024, because it might now not log on. Individuals who relied on Safe for cover have been compelled to take a substitute from ADT or else select a platform on their very own, like Arlo or Ring.

What’s complicated is that Google nonetheless affords Nest safety merchandise, particularly the Cam and Doorbell lineups. It could be that Safe simply wasn’t widespread sufficient to justify improvement assets.

Associated

Here’s how I built a Matter smart home

Matter could make your sensible residence seamless — these are the issues you might want to get began.

3 Dropcam

Now that is product assist

Google

A constructive sensible residence story comes within the type of Dropcam. Whereas no new Dropcam merchandise have shipped since Google purchased the corporate in 2014, present cameras acquired assist till April 2024. When that deadline arrived, Google provided free Nest Cams to remaining house owners. The transfer won’t have glad everybody, nevertheless it was higher than having to modify manufacturers, as occurred with Nest Safe.

Dropcam was initially based in 2009, so it is potential that some individuals have been utilizing its cameras for properly over a decade — earlier than 1080p was frequent, by no means thoughts sensible residence ecosystems like Google Residence.

Associated

What’s the best Google Nest camera?

I took a take a look at what Google Nest safety cameras can be found and so they every supply — that is the appropriate one for you and your private home.

4 Google Podcasts

A complicated competitor to Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts ought to’ve been a slamdunk. Whereas the time period “podcasts” refers to Apple’s iPod, thousands and thousands of individuals do not use Apple units, in order that they haven’t any motive to make use of Apple Podcasts (previously part of iTunes). In an alternate timeline, Google’s app might’ve develop into the default for the plenty, particularly on Android telephones.

The corporate uncared for the app, failing to construct it into a strong (and even absolutely impartial) entity. Its wind-down was introduced on October 2023, finishing in April 2024. An eventful month. The one Google-supported podcast platform is now YouTube Music, which affords the benefit of video assist however is not as handy for audio as some third-party apps.

Associated

Changing to YouTube Music? This is how to port your Apple Music playlists

Should you’re transferring on from Apple Music there is a instrument to port your playlists to a brand new service, nevertheless it solely works with YouTube Music.

5 Chromecast

Adios, low-cost dongles

It is simple to neglect, however when the unique Chromecast dongle shipped in 2013, it was a revelation. It introduced superior media streaming to any TV with an HDMI port for simply $35. You probably did have to make use of a telephone or pc to manage that media, nevertheless it was definitely worth the trouble provided that rivals just like the first-gen Apple TV value a number of occasions as a lot. Chromecasts have been additionally transportable, letting customers change TVs on the fly.

The dongle’s underlying casting protocol has since develop into widespread throughout apps and units. In a way, Google hasn’t even killed the Chromecast lineup — it is simply that the Google TV Streamer does not use the identical branding, and it is considerably bigger and costlier. It is also extra area of interest now that many TVs have Google TV inbuilt.

Associated

Roku or Google TV? I thought this OS felt smarter

Each of those working programs supply peak streaming choices, however this one took residence the win in my ebook.

6 VPN by Google One

One much less motive to subscribe to One

To boost Google One subscriptions past their further cloud storage, Google began together with a VPN (digital personal community) service in October 2020. VPNs are primarily helpful for further safety, however will also be used to get round arbitrary regional boundaries, say if the US model of YouTube has one thing lacking in Canada.

Google put an finish to its VPN choice in June 2024 — as a multiplatform providing, anyway. VPN know-how is baked into Google Pixel units, which for some buyers could also be a motive to decide on them over different Android telephones.

Associated

Wi-Fi what…? The difference between Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7

Wi-Fi 7 affords the perfect efficiency, nevertheless it’s not at all times price paying for the privilege.

7 Jamboard

A pricey enterprise enterprise

Google

The common client wasn’t conscious of the Jamboard, however in contrast to Eager, Google anticipated that — the product was a 55-inch sensible whiteboard aimed on the enterprise market. You solely want a wise whiteboard for those who’re a college or giant company, not for those who’re jotting down grocery and to-do lists.

The Jamboard was doomed for a few causes, starting with its $5,000 pricetag, which was properly above what comparable whiteboards value. You have been additionally anticipated to make use of it with Google’s customized Jamboard software program. Even when Google have been much less flaky as an organization, organizations might not have been enthusiastic about paying for one thing so area of interest. The software program stopped engaged on New 12 months’s Day 2025.

Associated

How to screen your calls on an iPhone like a pro

There are a couple of easy techniques you need to use to chop out the noise.

8 Google Bard

A query of promoting?

Google

When Google first revealed its generative AI push in February 2023, it was beneath the Bard identify, not Gemini. I am nonetheless not solely positive why Google switched branding a 12 months later, for the reason that time period “bard” appears extra apt for one thing that may speak to you and rewrite textual content. Bard’s output was even shakier than Gemini’s, although, and “Gemini” might sound a little bit sexier.

The excellent news is that Google appears firmly dedicated to Gemini. It is all over the place, even highlighted in TV commercials for the Pixel 9. It ought to ultimately change Google Assistant, which continues to be discovered on some Android units, in addition to sensible audio system and shows.

Associated

Should you get a handheld or a laptop for portable PC gaming?

You won’t want a laptop computer as a lot as you suppose you do.