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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'''[[wikipedia:Jamboard|Google Jamboard]]''' was a $4,999 interactive digital whiteboard launched in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/23/15680250/google-jamboard-digital-whiteboard-hands-on-video|title=Google made a $5,000 whiteboard — and it’s weirdly fun|first=Jacob|last=Kastrenakes|work=The Verge|date=2017-05-23|access-date=2025-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428131124/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/23/15680250/google-jamboard-digital-whiteboard-hands-on-video|archive-date=2025-04-28|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2023, Google announced that Google Jamboard would have its primary features disabled by October 2024 and all user data permanently deleted by December 2024.<ref name="Google24">{{cite web |title=Google Jamboard is winding down |url=https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/14084927?hl=en |publisher=Google Support|access-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> | '''[[wikipedia:Jamboard|Google Jamboard]]''' was a $4,999 interactive digital whiteboard launched in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/23/15680250/google-jamboard-digital-whiteboard-hands-on-video|title=Google made a $5,000 whiteboard — and it’s weirdly fun|first=Jacob|last=Kastrenakes|work=The Verge|date=2017-05-23|access-date=2025-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428131124/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/23/15680250/google-jamboard-digital-whiteboard-hands-on-video|archive-date=2025-04-28|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2023, Google announced that Google Jamboard would have its primary features disabled by October 2024 and all user data permanently deleted by December 2024.<ref name="Google24">{{cite web |title=Google Jamboard is winding down |url=https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/14084927?hl=en |publisher=Google Support|access-date=2025-09-01 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222143812/https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/14084927?hl=en |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
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According to the Jamboard hardware agreement, "Google is under no obligation to provide Customer with Hardware, Hardware replacement, Hardware updates, or Hardware support under this Agreement."<ref name="JBHA">{{Cite web|url=https://workspace.google.com/terms/jamboard/|title=Jamboard Hardware Agreement|work=Google Workspace|access-date=2025-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615031347/https://workspace.google.com/terms/jamboard/|archive-date=2025-06-15|url-status=live}}</ref> Users are prohibited from the following actions: "adapt, alter, modify, decompile, translate, disassemble, or reverse engineer the Service and/or the Hardware".<ref name="JBHA" /> | According to the Jamboard hardware agreement, "Google is under no obligation to provide Customer with Hardware, Hardware replacement, Hardware updates, or Hardware support under this Agreement."<ref name="JBHA">{{Cite web|url=https://workspace.google.com/terms/jamboard/|title=Jamboard Hardware Agreement|work=Google Workspace|access-date=2025-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615031347/https://workspace.google.com/terms/jamboard/|archive-date=2025-06-15|url-status=live}}</ref> Users are prohibited from the following actions: "adapt, alter, modify, decompile, translate, disassemble, or reverse engineer the Service and/or the Hardware".<ref name="JBHA" /> | ||
====Privacy==== | ====Privacy==== | ||
Jamboard utilized the same privacy policy as all Google services in Google Drive, which states "we will not use a Private document for marketing or promotional campaigns" and "we will not change a Private document into a Public one."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2450387?hl=en|title=Google Drive Terms of Service|date=2020-03-31|work=Google Drive|access-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> | Jamboard utilized the same privacy policy as all Google services in Google Drive, which states "we will not use a Private document for marketing or promotional campaigns" and "we will not change a Private document into a Public one."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2450387?hl=en|title=Google Drive Terms of Service|date=2020-03-31|work=Google Drive|access-date=2025-09-01 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128013151/https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2450387?hl=en |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> | ||
====Business model==== | ====Business model==== | ||
Google received revenue from the upfront sale of the Jamboard whiteboards alongside Workspace (previously G-Suite) subscriptions from educational and business establishments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techlearning.com/features/how-to-use-google-jamboard-for-teachers|title=Using Google Jamboard Before It Is Shut Down in 2025|first=Luke|last=Edwards|date=2024-09-09|work=Tech Learning|access-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> | Google received revenue from the upfront sale of the Jamboard whiteboards alongside Workspace (previously G-Suite) subscriptions from educational and business establishments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techlearning.com/features/how-to-use-google-jamboard-for-teachers|title=Using Google Jamboard Before It Is Shut Down in 2025|first=Luke|last=Edwards|date=2024-09-09|work=Tech Learning|access-date=2025-09-01 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250809030944/https://www.techlearning.com/features/how-to-use-google-jamboard-for-teachers |archive-date=9 Aug 2025}}</ref> | ||
====Market control==== | ====Market control==== | ||
Google Jamboard did not occupy a dominant position in the market.{{Citation needed}} Other brands of smart white boards include [[Microsoft]]'s Surface Hub, and [[Avocor]]'s Series One Board and Deck.<ref name="GD">{{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> On the software side, there is FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro.<ref name="GD" /> | Google Jamboard did not occupy a dominant position in the market.{{Citation needed}} Other brands of smart white boards include [[Microsoft]]'s Surface Hub, and [[Avocor]]'s Series One Board and Deck.<ref name="GD">{{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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220070801/https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2023/09/the-next-phase-of-digital-whiteboarding-for-google-workspace.html |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</ref> On the software side, there is FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro.<ref name="GD" /> | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
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''Main article: [[Google Jamboard shutdown]]'' | ''Main article: [[Google Jamboard shutdown]]'' | ||
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 curriculum 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|date=2023-09-29|author=BeauHD}}</ref> | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117232434/https://9to5google.com/2023/09/28/google-jamboard/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</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 curriculum 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|date=2023-09-29|author=BeauHD}}</ref> | ||
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 name="Google24" /> | 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 name="Google24" /> | ||
====Data loss & forced migration==== | ====Data loss & forced migration==== | ||
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|access-date=2025-09-01}}</ref> | 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|access-date=2025-09-01 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251023184211/https://support.google.com/jamboard/answer/13864841?hl=en |archive-date=23 Oct 2025}}</ref> | ||
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. | 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251028235721/https://www.change.org/p/save-jamboard |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</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 devices. Educational institutions received only vague promises of compensation "on a partner-by-partner basis" without specific details.<ref name="GD" /> <sup>[more info needed: what, if anything, did schools typically receive?]</sup> | 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 name="GD" /> <sup>[more info needed: what, if anything, did schools typically receive?]</sup> | ||
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|author=npjohnson|date=2025-08-21}}</ref> Factory resets prompt users to enter activation codes that cannot be obtained. | 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|author=npjohnson|date=2025-08-21}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250822225401/https://xdaforums.com/t/unofficial-lineageos-22-for-the-google-jamboard-wip.4755529/ Archived])</ref> Factory resets prompt users to enter activation codes that cannot be obtained. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||