Google Jamboard: Difference between revisions
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|Description=A $4,999 cloud-connected digital whiteboard that was remotely disabled by Google, converting expensive hardware into basic displays. | |Description=A $4,999 cloud-connected digital whiteboard that was remotely disabled by Google, converting expensive hardware into basic displays. | ||
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Google Jamboard was a $4,999 interactive digital whiteboard launched in 2017. In September 2023, Google announced in that Google Jamboard would have its primary features disabled by October 2024 and all user data permanently deleted by December 2024. | |||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
{{Ph-C-CIS}} | {{Ph-C-CIS}} | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Remote deactivation & forced obsolescence | ===Remote deactivation & forced obsolescence=== | ||
On September 28, 2023, Google announced the complete shutdown of Jamboard. They created a timeline that would disable all cloud features by October 1, 2024 | On September 28, 2023, Google announced the complete shutdown of Jamboard. They created a timeline that would disable all cloud features by October 1, 2024 and permanently delete all user data by December 31, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Google shutting down Jamboard, offering transition to other whiteboard apps |url=https://9to5google.com/2023/09/28/google-jamboard/ |publisher=9to5Google}}</ref> This decision affected many organizations that paid $4,999 per device plus $600 annual management fees. Educational institutions were particularly impacted, as the deactivation affected curriculums they had built around the platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=$5,000 Google Jamboard Dies In 2024 -- Cloud-Based Apps Will Stop Working, Too |url=https://tech.slashdot.org/story/23/09/29/1951233/5000-google-jamboard-dies-in-2024----cloud-based-apps-will-stop-working-too |publisher=Slashdot}}</ref> | ||
The shutdown | The shutdown converted devices into "unlicensed mode" where they could not save content, use Google Meet, or use any cloud-connected functions. After December 31, 2024, the devices lost about 90% of their capabilities, functioning only as basic HDMI displays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Jamboard is winding down |url=https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/14084927?hl=en |publisher=Google Support}}</ref> | ||
===Data loss & forced migration | ===Data loss & forced migration=== | ||
Google's shutdown | Google's shutdown included permanent deletion of all user-created content ("Jams") on December 31, 2024, forcing organizations to manually export years of collaborative work. The company offered only "best-effort" PDF conversion, with users reporting blank PDFs and loss of interactive elements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Export your jams |url=https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/13864841?hl=en |publisher=Google Support}}</ref> | ||
Educational institutions | Educational institutions reported losing hundreds of lesson plans integrated into their teaching workflows, with one Change.org petition gathering 498 supporters highlighting the impact on "youngest English language learners" and COVID-era remote learning materials.<ref>{{cite web |title=Petition · Save Jamboard |url=https://www.change.org/p/save-jamboard |publisher=Change.org}}</ref> The forced migration to alternative platforms like FigJam, Miro, or Lucidspark required additional investments of more than $7,000 per replacement when including new hardware, software subscriptions, and implementation costs. | ||
===Lack of compensation for hardware purchasers | ===Lack of compensation for hardware purchasers=== | ||
Despite the very large up-front financial investment by customers, Google offered zero hardware compensation for non-educational buyers who purchased the | Despite the very large up-front financial investment by customers, Google offered zero hardware compensation for non-educational buyers who purchased the devices. Educational institutions received only vague promises of compensation "on a partner-by-partner basis" without specific details.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=The next phase of digital whiteboarding for Google Workspace |url=https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2023/09/the-next-phase-of-digital-whiteboarding-for-google-workspace.html |publisher=Google Workspace Updates}}</ref> | ||
The devices | The devices cannot run alternative software due to locked bootloaders and proprietary firmware, making them permanently obsolete once Google's servers shut down. A group of tech-savvy individuals on the XDA-developers forum ported lineageOS to the devices to give them increased functionality. <ref>{{Cite web |title=[UNOFFICIAL] LineageOS 22 for the Google Jamboard - WIP {{!}} XDA Forums |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/unofficial-lineageos-22-for-the-google-jamboard-wip.4755529/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=XDA-Forums}}</ref> Factory resets prompt users to enter activation codes that cannot be obtained. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||