Google Is Closing Google Labs
Google Labs has been one of the most interesting things about Google. We get to try out new and crazy ideas coming out from the Google engineers, that are not yet ready for full release.
Today, Google has announced that they are closing down Google Labs. They say that this will help them prioritize their product effort. This is what they wrote in a blog post announcing it:
Last week we explained that we’re prioritizing our product efforts. As part of that process, we’ve decided to wind down Google Labs. While we’ve learned a huge amount by launching very early prototypes in Labs, we believe that greater focus is crucial if we’re to make the most of the extraordinary opportunities ahead.
Google says that closing Google Labs means ending many of their experiments. However, not every experiment will be gone. Google will be incorporating the Labs experiments they have decided to continue in other product areas. Android apps such as Google Goggles, Google Listen etc. will continue to be available in the Android Market.
In many cases, this will mean ending Labs experiments—in others we’ll incorporate Labs products and technologies into different product areas. And many of the Labs products that are Android apps today will continue to be available on Android Market. We’ll update you on our progress via the Google Labs website.
Ending Labs might mean that the existing products will get better, as Google will now have less products to work on. On the other hand, it might impede Google’s innovativeness. Google Labs has produces some amazing products such as Google Reader, Google Goggles and has added many useful features into many other existing products.
What are your favorite products from Google Labs?