Killed by Google
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Google is a company that is known for its innovative software products, but the company has also ventured into the hardware market over the years. However, not all of Google's hardware experiments have been successful. In fact, the company has killed several hardware products over the years, for a variety of reasons.
Here is a look at some of the Google hardware products that have been killed:
Google Search Appliance
The Google Search Appliance was a physical device that allowed organizations to index and search their own data using Google's search technology. The project started in 2002 and the product was launched in 2007, but it was discontinued in 2018. Google cited declining sales and the increasing popularity of cloud-based search solutions as reasons for the discontinuation.
DropCam
DropCam was a home security camera company that was acquired by Google in 2014. DropCam cameras were known for their high quality video and easy-to-use software. However, Google discontinued the DropCam brand in 2018 and merged it with its Nest smart home product line. They will end support in 2024.
Nexus Q
The Nexus Q was a streaming device that was launched in 2012. The device was designed to allow users to stream content from their smartphones and tablets to their TVs. However, the Nexus Q was plagued with problems, including technical issues and a high price tag. Google discontinued the device in 2013 after just a few months on the market.
Google Glass Explorer Edition
Google Glass was a wearable computer that was launched in 2013. The device was designed to allow users to view information and interact with applications without having to use their hands. However, Google Glass was met with mixed reviews and was criticized for its high price tag and privacy concerns. Google discontinued the Explorer Edition of Google Glass in 2015.
Jaquard
Jaquard was a project that was launched by Google in 2015. The project aimed to develop interactive fabrics that could be used to control devices and interact with the digital world. Google released a number of Jaquard-enabled products, including jackets and backpacks. However, the project was discontinued in 2019 and the app support was stopped in 2023.
Google Daydream
Google Daydream was a virtual reality platform that was launched in 2016. The platform was designed to allow users to experience VR content on their smartphones. However, Google Daydream faced stiff competition from other VR platforms, such as Oculus and HTC Vive. Google discontinued the platform in 2019.
Nest Secure
Nest Secure was a home security system that was launched in 2017. The system included a base station, door and window sensors, motion detectors, and a key fob. However, Nest Secure was met with mixed reviews and was criticized for its high price tag and lack of features. Google discontinued the system in 2020.
Google Clips
Google Clips was a wearable camera that was launched in 2017. The device was designed to take short videos of people's lives without them having to manually press a button. However, Google Clips was met with mixed reviews and was criticized for its high price tag and short battery life. Google discontinued the device in 2019.
These are just a few of the Google hardware products that have been killed. While Google has had some success with hardware products, such as the Nest thermostat and the Pixel phone, the company has also had its fair share of failures. It remains to be seen whether Google will continue to venture into the hardware market in the future.
Dataset
Product Name | Start Year | End Year | Age | Type | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Search Appliance | 2002 | 2018 | 16 | Hardware | Killed almost 5 years ago, Google Search Appliance was a rack-mounted device that provided document indexing functionality. It was almost 17 years old. |
DropCam | 2009 | 2024 | 15 | Hardware | Floating belly up in 6 months, Dropcam was a line of Wi-Fi video streaming cameras acquired by Google in 2014. It will be about 15 years old. |
Jacquard | 2014 | 2023 | 9 | Hardware | Killed 7 months ago, Jacquard was a small tag to make it easier and more intuitive for people to interact with technology in their everyday lives, without having to constantly pull out their devices or touch screens. It was about 9 years old. |
Google OnHub | 2015 | 2023 | 8 | Hardware | Killed 9 months ago, Google OnHub was a series of residential wireless routers manufactured by Asus and TP-Link that were powered by Google software, managed by Google apps, and offered enhanced special features like Google Assistant. It was over 7 years old. |
Google Cardboard | 2014 | 2021 | 7 | Hardware | Killed over 2 years ago, Google Cardboard was a low-cost, virtual reality (VR) platform named after its folded cardboard viewer into which a smartphone was inserted. It was over 6 years old. |
Google Nexus | 2010 | 2016 | 6 | Hardware | Killed about 7 years ago, Google Nexus was Google's line of flagship Android phones, tablets, and accessories. It was over 6 years old. |
Google Mini | 2007 | 2012 | 5 | Hardware | Killed almost 11 years ago, Google Mini was a smaller version of the Google Search Appliance. It was about 5 years old. |
Chromecast Audio | 2015 | 2019 | 4 | Hardware | Killed almost 5 years ago, Chromecast Audio was a device that allowed users to stream audio from any device to any speaker with an audio input. It was over 3 years old. |
Chromebook Pixel | 2013 | 2017 | 4 | Hardware | Killed over 6 years ago, Chromebook Pixel was a first-of-its-kind laptop built by Google that ran Chrome OS, a Linux kernel-based operating system. It was about 4 years old. |
Revolv | 2012 | 2016 | 4 | Hardware | Killed over 7 years ago, Revolv was a monitoring and control system that allowed users to control their connected devices from a single hub. It was about 4 years old. |
Google TV | 2010 | 2014 | 4 | Hardware | Killed over 9 years ago, Google TV was a smart TV platform that integrated Android and Chrome to create an interactive television overlay. It was over 3 years old. |
Google Home Max | 2017 | 2020 | 3 | Hardware | Killed almost 3 years ago, Google Home Max was a large, stereo smart speaker with two tweeters and subwoofers, aux input, and a USB-C input (for wired ethernet) featuring Smart Sound machine learning technology. It was about 3 years old. |
Nest Secure | 2017 | 2020 | 3 | Hardware | Killed almost 3 years ago, Nest Secure was a security system with an alarm, keypad, and motion sensor with an embedded microphone. It was almost 3 years old. |
Google Daydream | 2016 | 2019 | 3 | Hardware | Killed about 4 years ago, Google Daydream was a virtual reality platform and set of hardware devices that worked with certain Android phones. It was almost 3 years old. |
Project Ara | 2013 | 2016 | 3 | Hardware | Killed about 7 years ago, Project Ara was a modular smartphone project under development by Google. It was almost 3 years old. |
Google Wallet Card | 2013 | 2016 | 3 | Hardware | Killed over 7 years ago, Google Wallet Card was a prepaid debit card that let users pay for things in person and online using their Wallet balance at any retailer that accepted MasterCard. It was over 2 years old. |
Google Clips | 2017 | 2019 | 2 | Hardware | Killed about 4 years ago, Google Clips was a miniature clip-on camera that could automatically capture interesting or relevant video clips determined by machine learning algorithms. It was about 2 years old. |
Nexus Player | 2014 | 2016 | 2 | Hardware | Killed over 7 years ago, Nexus Player was a digital media player that allowed users to play music, watch video originating from Internet services or a local network, and play games. It was over 1 year old. |
Google Play Edition | 2013 | 2015 | 2 | Hardware | Killed almost 9 years ago, Google Play Edition devices were a series of Android smartphones and tablets sold by Google. It was over 1 year old. |
Google Glass Explorer Edition | 2013 | 2015 | 2 | Hardware | Killed almost 9 years ago, Google Glass Explorer Edition was a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display and camera that allows the wearer to interact with various applications and the Internet via natural language voice commands. It was almost 2 years old. |
Google Radio Automation | 2007 | 2009 | 2 | Hardware | Killed about 14 years ago, Google Radio Automation was a hardware and software service used by radio operators to automate song playing among other radio station functions. It was over 2 years old. |
Focals by North | 2019 | 2020 | 1 | Hardware | Killed about 3 years ago, Focals were a custom-built smart glasses product with a transparent, holographic display that allowed users to read and respond to text messages, navigate turn-by-turn directions, check the weather, and integrate with third-party services like Uber and Amazon Alexa. It was over 1 year old. |
Nexus Q | 2012 | 2013 | 1 | Hardware | Killed over 10 years ago, Nexus Q was a digital media player that allowed users with Android devices to stream content from supported services to a connected television or speakers via an integrated amplifier. It was about 1 year old. |