Google continues to develop a wide range of products—some become staples, while others fail to bring the desired value to the company. As a result, these underperforming services are often discontinued. But they often evoke mixed feelings from users who had come to rely on them. And quite often Google junks them and they are laid to rest in the Google graveyard. Here are some services Google decided to part with this year—and why they mattered.
Google Podcasts
Remember the days when you could open Google Podcasts, search for your favorite show, and just… listen? No ads, no fluff, just podcasts? Well, 2024 marked the end of that era. Google merged Podcasts into YouTube Music. The company argued that one app is better than two. But for many, the simplicity of Google Podcasts was its charm. Users now have to navigate YouTube Music’s cluttered interface to get their podcast fix, making this "upgrade" feel more like a downgrade.
Chromecast
The original Chromecast was the gadget that made any TV smart—for just $35! It was Google’s answer to streaming needs. No remotes, no UI clutter, just cast your phone screen to the TV. But as Google shifted its focus to more advanced streaming tech, 2024 saw the original Chromecast officially retired. It’s a bittersweet goodbye for many of us who enjoyed how it “just worked” without bells and whistles.
Google Jamboard
Jamboard was supposed to be Google’s answer to digital whiteboards. It gave office meetings a canvas to brainstorm and collaborate in real time. It was futuristic and fun, but honestly? It was also pretty niche. Schools and businesses loved it, but not enough to keep it alive. In 2024, Google pulled the plug, encouraging users to use Google Workspace tools instead. It’s one less thing to pack in your next team meeting—unless you’re attached to clunky third-party whiteboards now.
Google Play Movies and TV
With Google Play Movies & TV, you could buy or rent a movie, and it’d be there, ready to watch on any device. Simple, right? Not anymore. Google axed the service in 2024, nudging users to buy their content on YouTube instead. But YouTube’s ads, autoplaying videos, and cluttered interface make it feel less like a movie library and more like chaos.
Google Gmail HTML view
Sometimes, all you needed was an email interface that didn’t crash your computer or take 10 years to load. Gmail’s Basic HTML view was a lifesaver for anyone on older tech or bad internet. But in 2024, Google decided it was time to retire the feature. The official reason? “Modernising” Gmail for security and speed. But for users stuck with aging devices, this felt more like losing an important feature than an improvement.
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