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 is not instantly profitable. Stadia is a chief instance. In some instances, even the fanfare was by no means there — does anybody keep in mind Neighbourly? In all probability not, however you may need if Google had truly put some cash and advertising and marketing behind it.

A number of extra merchandise had been added to the Google Graveyard in 2024. A couple of of those may be blamed on Google’s unhealthy habits, however in different instances the corporate transitioned folks over to new merchandise, whether or not they needed it or not. For instance, you may now be shopping for a Google TV Streamer as an alternative 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, nevertheless, had been its ties to Google, and pinboards being renamed to “keens.”

The lesson is one which sport publishers have discovered with the glut of failed “stay service” video games, reminiscent of Harmony and Suicide Squad. When you launch a product that is no higher than what everyone seems to be already utilizing, nobody’s going to hassle to modify over, particularly in case you do not put it up for sale.

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2 Nest Safe

Leaving owners within the lurch

Whereas we would chortle about among the issues Google kills off, this one had severe 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 House and the hub was bricked in April 2024, because it may now not go surfing. Individuals who relied on Safe for cover had 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 provides Nest safety merchandise, particularly the Cam and Doorbell lineups. It could be that Safe simply wasn’t widespread sufficient to justify improvement assets.

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3 Dropcam

Now that is product assist

Google

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

Dropcam was initially based in 2009, so it is attainable that some folks had been utilizing its cameras for nicely over a decade — earlier than 1080p was widespread, by no means thoughts sensible residence ecosystems like Google House.

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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, hundreds of thousands of individuals do not use Apple units, in order that they have no purpose to make use of Apple Podcasts (previously part of iTunes). In an alternate timeline, Google’s app may’ve develop into the default for the plenty, particularly on Android telephones.

The corporate uncared for the app, failing to construct it into a sturdy (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 provides the benefit of video assist however is not as handy for audio as some third-party apps.

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5 Chromecast

Adios, low-cost dongles

It is simple to overlook, 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 cellphone or laptop to manage that media, however it was well worth the trouble on condition that rivals just like the first-gen Apple TV price a number of occasions as a lot. Chromecasts had 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 dearer. It is also extra area of interest now that many TVs have Google TV inbuilt.

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6 VPN by Google One

One much less purpose to subscribe to One

To boost Google One subscriptions past their additional cloud storage, Google began together with a VPN (digital personal community) service in October 2020. VPNs are primarily helpful for additional safety, however can be used to get round arbitrary regional limitations, 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 purpose to decide on them over different Android telephones.

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7 Jamboard

A pricey enterprise enterprise

Google

The typical shopper 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 sensible whiteboard in case you’re a college or massive company, not in case you’re jotting down grocery and to-do lists.

The Jamboard was doomed for a few causes, starting with its $5,000 pricetag, which was nicely above what comparable whiteboards price. You had been additionally anticipated to make use of it with Google’s customized Jamboard software program. Even when Google had 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 Yr’s Day 2025.

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8 Google Bard

A query of selling?

Google

When Google first revealed its generative AI push in February 2023, it was underneath the Bard title, not Gemini. I am nonetheless not solely certain why Google switched branding a 12 months later, because the 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 in every single place, even highlighted in TV commercials for the Pixel 9. It ought to finally substitute Google Assistant, which continues to be discovered on some Android units, in addition to sensible audio system and shows.

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