Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




INTERNET SPACE
iGoogle gets axed in shakeup
by Staff Writers
San Francisco (AFP) July 4, 2012


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."

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

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.

"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."

He said Google Talk Chatback had become "outdated" and functions were now served by its Meebo toolbar.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

.


Related Links
Satellite-based Internet technologies






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








INTERNET SPACE
Microsoft to take $6.2 bn writeoff for online unit
New York (AFP) July 2, 2012
Microsoft said Monday it would take a $6.2 billion writedown to reflect the slump in value of its online services division. The charge reflects a writedown related to the 2007 acquisition of aQuantive, a digital advertising firm aimed at helping Microsoft compete against Google and others. The charge, to be reflected in the company's upcoming earnings report, is required under accounting ... read more


INTERNET SPACE
ESA to catch laser beam from Moon mission

Researchers Estimate Ice Content of Crater at Moon's South Pole

Researchers find evidence of ice content at the moon's south pole

Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behaviour

INTERNET SPACE
Fireworks Over Mars: The Spirit of 76 Pyrotechnics

Martian moon Phobos could be life clue

Exhumed rocks reveal Mars water ran deep

Houston Workshop Marks Key Step in Planning Future Mars Missions

INTERNET SPACE
The Road to Space

NASA Unveils Orion During Ceremony

Boeing Validates Performance of CST Vehicle's Attitude Control Engine

Northrop Grumman's Modular Space Vehicle Completes CDR Process

INTERNET SPACE
China open to cooperation

China set to launch bigger space program

Nation has long way to go as space power

An inspiring mission

INTERNET SPACE
First Annual ISS Research and Development Conference in Review

Three astronauts land on Earth from ISS in Russian capsule

ISS crew rests before return to Earth

ISS Resupply Important to Kennedy's Past and Future

INTERNET SPACE
Three Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68A Engines Power Delta IV Heavy Upgrade Vehicle on Inaugural Flight

ULA Delta IV Heavy Launches Second Payload in Nine Days for the NRO

ATK Completes Software TIM for Liberty under NASA's Commercial Crew Program

MSG-3 Now Installed In Ariane 5

INTERNET SPACE
New Planet-weighing Technique Found

Innovative technique enables scientists to learn more about elusive exoplanet

Dramatic change spotted on a faraway planet

New Way of Probing Exoplanet Atmospheres

INTERNET SPACE
Body scanner takes tailoring to the masses

H.K.'s SCMP editor under fire as press freedom 'shrinks'

Apple pays $60 mn to end China iPad trademark row

Now Everyone Can Build a Satellite Like NASA: Online!




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement