10 Apps Google Killed in the Past Decade
Table of Contents:
- Let’s Talk About Google for a Bit
- 10 Apps Google Killed in the Past Decade
- Google+ (2011-2019)
- Google Hangouts (2013-2021)
- Google Allo (2016-2019)
- Google Play Music (2011-2020)
- Google Inbox (2014-2019)
- Google Daydream (2016-2019)
- Google Glass Explorer Edition (2013-2023)
- Google Podcasts (2018-2024)
- Threadit (2021-2022)
- Grasshopper (2018-2023)
- Moral Lesson (Or is it?)
When did Google become a killer?
It’s not that serious! Well, it depends on what you describe as “serious”.
But you know what we mean.
This blog post is not about “dropping anyone with a pistol and blowing an air of victory into it.”
We are here to analyse the apps that were shut down (slight metaphor intended) by Google due to unresolvable circumstances and irreconcilable differences.
So, if you had some connection to any of these products and services and got heartbroken when they were discontinued, we totally understand and sympathise with you.
But hey, Google’s gotta do what Google’s gotta do, right?
Are you curious? We are, too!
Let’s get into it. What are these apps, and why did Google give them the “death” sentence?
Let’s Talk About Google for a Bit
The American multinational corporation and technology company was founded on September 4, 1998, and has focused on various fields in its almost 30 years of operation.
A bonafide millennial, if you ask us.
Since its establishment, Google has tried several areas of specialisation—online advertisements, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence—offering a multitude of products and services.
Google is referred to as “one of the most powerful companies in the world.” Still, before this title was earned, the company had a trial-and-error relationship with several apps—some of which came and went faster than a browser pop-up.
Just like any other tech company looking to consistently roll out new products, if we were being honest.
In fact, a lot of apps Google killed in the past decade were part of its efforts to innovate, expand, and dominate.
So, to pay tribute to and remember their short-term service, let’s talk about some of the apps that Google “discontinued” (not killed, okay?) in the last decade.
10 Apps Google Killed in the Past Decade
1. Google+ (2011-2019):
Google+, launched in 2011, was Google's attempt to create a social media platform to rival Facebook. It had its own unique features like Circles (for different friend groups) and Hangouts, but it never gained much traction.
Despite being integrated into other Google products and services (like YouTube), the platform didn’t take off as expected.
In 2018, Google+ suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 500,000 users. As a result, Google decided to shut it down officially in 2019.
The lesson here? Not all battles can be won, even by tech giants.
2. Google Hangouts (2013-2021):
Google Hangouts started as a messaging platform, similar to Skype or Zoom, allowing users to chat, share photos, and make video calls.
It was especially popular for business meetings and casual conversations, making it a strong contender in the video chat space.
However, Google eventually shifted its focus to Google Meet and Google Chat, which led to Hangouts’ demise in 2021.
I guess it was Google’s way of saying, “We’ve got newer, shinier toys now—time to move on!”
3. Google Allo (2016-2019):
Google Allo was supposed to be the next big thing in messaging. It featured smart replies, Google Assistant integration, and end-to-end encryption.
Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, even with these cool features, Allo failed to gain enough users to compete with WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Google pulled the plug on Allo in 2019, making room for other messaging apps like Google Chat.
RIP, Allo—you were just too young.
4. Google Play Music (2011-2020):
Remember Google Play Music? It was Google’s answer to Apple Music and Spotify.
It allowed users to upload their own music, build playlists, and stream music online. The service started in 2011 and even had a brief moment in the spotlight.
However, in 2020, Google Play Music was officially replaced by YouTube Music. YouTube had a larger audience and better integration with Google’s other services, so Play Music had to go.
If you ever uploaded your music collection to Google Play Music, hopefully, you’ve made peace with the switch.
5. Google Inbox (2014-2019):
Google Inbox was a new take on email, offering smart features like automatic email sorting, reminders, and more efficient email management.
It was praised by many users as a forward-thinking email app.
But in 2019, Google decided to focus on its core Gmail service instead, absorbing some of Inbox's features into the Gmail experience.
In short: Gmail won the duel, Inbox didn’t make the cut.
6. Google Daydream (2016-2019):
Virtual reality (VR) was all the rage in 2016, so Google jumped on the bandwagon with Daydream, its VR platform.
Users could pair their smartphones with a headset and immerse themselves in virtual environments.
However, interest in mobile VR faded, and Google discontinued Daydream in 2019, citing low user engagement.
Looks like VR wasn’t the “dream” Google hoped it would be.
7. Google Glass Explorer Edition (2013-2023):
Google Glass was an innovative pair of augmented reality glasses that promised to change the way we interact with technology.
The Explorer Edition, released in 2013, was aimed at developers and early adopters. However, Google Glass faced criticism for privacy concerns, high cost, and limited functionality.
After years of trying to make it work, Google officially discontinued the product in 2023.
So much for the futuristic dream of wearing your computer on your face!
8. Google Podcasts (2018-2024):
Google Podcasts was introduced in 2018, aiming to compete with established podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
However, despite its clean interface and integration with Google Assistant, it never quite caught on the way Google hoped.
By 2024, the app was shut down, with users redirected to YouTube Music for their podcast needs.
The podcasting space is competitive (with everyone doing one and some these days), and apparently, Google just couldn’t keep up.
9. Threadit (2021-2022):
Ah, Threadit, the “TikTok for workplace communications.”
This app allowed users to create short video messages for collaboration and communication within teams.
Launched in 2021, it seemed promising, especially with remote work on the rise. However, it lasted only a year, being killed off in 2022.
Turns out, businesses preferred to stick with more traditional tools like Slack and Zoom for their team communications.
10. Grasshopper (2018-2023):
Grasshopper was a fun little app designed to teach beginners how to code with JavaScript.
Launched in 2018 and made available on IOS and Android operating systems, it was intended to make coding more accessible to the masses.
While it had a good run, Google pulled the plug in 2023, citing a shift in priorities for its educational efforts.
The app was praised for its simplicity but, alas, even a good cause isn’t immune to Google’s chopping block.
Moral Lesson (Or is it?)
Google's history of innovation includes plenty of hits—and a fair share of misses.
While some apps Google killed in the past decade were promising, they just couldn’t find a long-term audience.
But hey, that’s how tech works: you experiment, some things take off, and others don’t.
If you’re still mourning the loss of one of these Google products and services, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Google might have “killed” them, but they’ll always live on in our memories.
Until the next app is discontinued, that is.
Oh, yes, the moral lesson!
Here are some:
- Nothing lasts forever
- Adapt or be left behind
- Innovation comes at a cost
- Don't rely on one platform
- User needs matter, but so does profitability
- Failure is part of progress
- Stay curious and flexible
- Expect the unexpected in tech
- Innovation over comfort
- User loyalty doesn’t guarantee survival
In the meantime, you can read about how Google’s Gemini is holding up against OpenAI’s ChatGPT here. Maybe they’ve got something going there, and hopefully, Gemini doesn’t get sent to the graveyard anytime soon.