Today Google announced what they termed “spring cleaning in summer”, meaning they are getting rid of a few services. This happens fairly often and the majority of people don’t notice, which is why the apps ended up on the chopping block to begin with. In this case, the list is once again one of services that users will not miss – Google Mini, Google Talk Chatback, Google Video, and the Symbian Search App. However, there was one more name on the list that was initially surprising – iGoogle, the popular home page service.
However, after giving it some thought, it made a lot more sense. I have an iGoogle page and I can’t remember the last time I was on it. My browser used to open to it and I would frequently hit the “Home” button to return to it in order to check Gmail or see one of the extension I had customized it with. But, my browser now opens to all of the tabs that were open when I last used it and Chrome, my browser of choice lately, doesn’t even have a “Home” button. Everyone may not be like that, but my guess is that many are or iGoogle wouldn’t be marked for death.
If you do still use the service then there is no need to push the panic button yet. Google is giving you plenty of warning. iGoogle won’t become part of internet history until November 1, 2013, so you have more than a year to ween yourself from it. There are still a few services like iGoogle around, but they are certainly dwindling rather quickly.
Try Netvibes…
I am appalled by the proposed change! What I love about iGoogle is that my home page has several gadgets and web site right on it (e.g. weather, moon phase, CBC headlines, clock and so on) that I can see right away. I don’t have to open another page or tab–it is all right there!
Since I got the notice this week I have tried other sites, including Mozilla, to see if I can set up a custom page like my iGoogle page. As far as my limited skills allow, it seems to be impossible. Just ticks me right off!
Stupid move by Google. iGoogle has been my homepage forever.
Like another commentor said, probably going to roll it into G+ somehow. We all have to be social now whether we want to or not.
“F” that! I’m a unsocialable old cromudgen and I like that about myself.
I have tried to make sense of Google’s thinking on this. There is nothing in my use of the internet that somehow makes iGoogle not relevant. Maybe I am behind the times. I like iGoogle and will miss it.
I have become accustomed to unpleasant changes on the part of my Internet providers. Anyone who uses Facebook certainly must. Changes there are so frequent that it’s almost disorienting. I’ve learned not to take it personally and just ‘go with the flow.’ But Google’s dropping of iGoogle really, really bothers me. I use iGoogle as my ‘home’ page and have it loaded up with things I use frequently throughout the day and other ‘goodies’ that I like to look in on when I have the time. It’s so convenient to have them all available to view on one page rather than clicking on and off separate icons. This will be a real blow to my productivity. I thought Google was all about helping people stay productive. Isn’t that the way engineers think? This time they are doing evil and it makes me (a longtime Google champion)absolutely sick.
I don’t get it; users will move away from Google as their start page in droves if igoogle is dropped.. what do you think google have up their sleeve to replace it? extra options on Google+ perhaps? I see a lot of people posting “I use xyx browser so it’s OK…” but they seem to be missing the point that igoogle works from anywhwere on any browser – the whole point to me is I can access my “workspace” from home, work, friends, when travelling – whatever.
Google Chrome Does Have A “Home” Button, You Need To Enable It Under Settings. I Wouldn’t Worry About Google Dropping Seldom Used Features, You Should Be More Concerned About Google’s Massive User Data Collection System. If You Really Knew Everything Google Collects On Their Users You Might Raise An Eyebrow or Two. User Privacy Is Dead, Thanks Largely To Google.
Your comment makes no sense. iGoogle is the best offering of Google, a single page where one can use their search, mail, news, online bookmarks, and other useful services. Removing make absolutely no sense. Why ween yourself from the most useful starting point on the www? Please explain your logic … great, I now have to look at four or five pages instead of looking at just one. “So logically, if it weights the same as a duck, it’s made of wood.” – Monty Python (BTW – My Chrome has a HOME button, and I use it frequently)