Google to shut down iGoogle, Video, Mini, Chatback, Symbian Search App

DHAKA: Google announced to axe five products that are not core to its business.

Among the products to be axed, the most notable are iGoogle, the search giant’s personalized homepage service and Google Video, reports The Times of India.

iGoogle will be axed November 1 in 2013, giving users 16 months to adjust or export their data.

The search giant said Google in its official blog that with today’s web and mobile apps, the need for iGoogle has eroded over time.

For Google Video, which stopped taking uploads in May 2009, its remaining hosted content will be moved to YouTube and users need to delete or download the content before Aug 20.

The other services getting axed are Google Mini, Google Talk Chatback and Symbian Search App.

‘Closing products always involves tough choices, but we do think very hard about each decision and its implications for our users.’

‘Streamlining our services enables us to focus on creating beautiful technology that will improve people`s lives’, the company said.

After co-founder Larry Page took over the position of chief executive officer, Google has closed more than 30 products.

BDST: 1928 HRS, JUL 4, 2012

Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor