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User:JamesTDG/Google's Anti-Ownership practices

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Notice: This article is a derivative of the proposed harmful practice article format, which you can see its parent concept here

A practice article is meant to act as a centralized article that groups together similar incident articles and outline a specific harmful business practice from a company. In this scenario, the article is focused on grouping together anti-ownership incidents related to product/service shutdowns in order to better educate the user on an overall anti-consumer trend from Google. This will most likely help news publications hastily attempting to write articles regarding newer Google incidents and wanting to link back to prior events.

If you wish to suggest formatting changes or the design of the harmful practice article template, please discuss on the Sony article and open a thread! You are welcome to assist in editing the article if any information you find is incorrect or simply needs changes.

Ever since the shutdown of Google Deskbar[1] in 2006, Google has had a pattern for over 20 years of shuttering various products and services that end-users have used.[2] Since 2010 with the shuttering of Marratech e-meetings, Google has continued to shut down products and services that businesses and consumers have paid for, such as BLANK in 20XX and BLANK in 20XX.

This article is a condensed list of every product and service Google has offered, focusing only on consumer-available products, and the full list of shuttered products and services can be accessed via Killed By Google.[2]

Products killed by Google

[edit | edit source]

The following is organized chronologically from when a service was shuttered by-year.

Product/Service Launch Deprecation Details
Marratech e-meetings 1998 2010 Founded as an independent company in Sweden, bought out by Google in Apr 2007.[3] Announced closure in Dec 2009, shuttered in Feb 2010.[4]
Gizmo5 2005 2011 Freeware VOIP provider, bought out by Google in 2009.[5] Announced closure in Mar 2011, and shuttered in Apr.[citation needed]
Google TV 2010 2014 Developed by Google in partnership with Intel, Sony, and Logitech as a smart television operating system and released in 2010.[6] Televisions released by Sony, Logitech, LG, Samsung,[7] Vizio and Hisense from 2010 - 2014 featured this OS. The SDK for the platform was deprecated in June 2014,[8] so end-users are unable to use these televisions for purposes past being a monitor.

Uniquely, the platform was blocked by major networks due to the inability to enforce geolocation and international copyright restrictions.[9][10][11]

Google Glass 2013 2015 Launched in Apr 2013,[12] Google Glass was a wearable augmented reality computer meant for users to interact with various applications. After a 2-year public beta period under the "Explorer Edition" program, it was shuttered in 2015.[13][14] Its OS would shut down later in 2017.[15]

Google Glass featured various privacy concerns[16][17][18] that would end up being reflected again with the release of the Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses.[19]

According to the device's TOS, if it is transferred to another individual, either through sale, gifting, or loans, Google reserves the right to disable the device's functionality.[20][21]

Google Play Edition 2013 2015 Launched in May 2013, the "Google Play Edition" smartphones were Android devices sold directly by Google. These devices were sold for about a year and sales ended in Jan 2015.[22] It is unknown how long the devices themselves were supported by Google after sales concluded, however it is unlikely LineageOS ever supported these devices.
Google Wallet Card 2013 2016 Launched in 2013, the Wallet Card was the predecessor to the Google Wallet app, where it acted as a prepaid debit card that took from the user's wallet balance.[23] The service was deprecated in June 2016, and any physical cards would be unable to be used for transactions. Any funds remaining on the Wallet account could still be transferred digitally.[23]
Google Nexus 2010 2016 Launched in Jan 2010, the Google Nexus was a line of flagship phones, tablets, and accessories. In October 2016, the Nexus line of devices was discontinued and removed from sale,[24] being replaced by the Google Pixel line. It is unknown when software updates were concluded for these devices, however it can be assumed that these devices are unable to run any currently-available Android applications after over 10 years since sales stopped.
Chromebook Pixel 2013 2018 Launched in Feb 2013, the Chromebook Pixel was the first laptop line sold by Google, which was a derivative of the Linux Kernel ChromeOS.[25] Sales concluded in August 2017,[26] and support for security and general software updates concluded in August 2018.[27]
Glass OS 2013 2017 Launched alongside the Google Glass in Apr 2013,[12] Glass OS was the Android-based operating system meant for Google Glass devices. After roughly 4 years of support, it was deprecated in June 2017.[15]
Chromecast Audio 2015 2019 Launched in 2013, Chromecast Audio was a device that allowed users to stream audio from any device to any speaker with an audio input. It was discontinued in Jan 2019.[28] All Chromecast units except gen 1 still receive security updates from Google,[29] but it is unknown how much longer this may occur.
Google+ 2011 2019 Launched in 2011,[30] Google+ was a social network run by Google meant to link together all Google-owned services, such as YouTube and Google Drive. The consumer version was shuttered in April 2019,[31][32] while the enterprise version was changed to Google Currents,[33] eventually being shuttered in 2023.[34]
Google Daydream 2016 2019 Launched in November 2016,[35] Google Daydream was a VR headset meant for certain Android phones. The platform was shuttered in Oct 2019,[36] and subsequent Android devices wouldn't be certified for the Daydream platform, thus being unable to function with the headset or apps. In Oct 2020, with the release of Android 11, devices that formerly supported the platform would be rendered unable to support the Daydream platform.[37]
Google Clips 2018 2019 Launched in Jan 2018,[38] the Google Clips was a small clip-on camera that would automatically take photos or audio-free video clips deemed "interesting" by its on-board machine learning algorithm. After roughly 2 years of support, Google concluded sales in October 2019,[39] and stopped software updates in December 2021.[40]
Nest Secure 2017 2020 Launched in 2017, Nest Secure was a security system with an alarm, keypad, and motion sensor with an embedded microphone. These security products were shut down by Google in October 2020.[41]
Google Home Max 2017 2020 Launched in Dec 2017, the Google Home Max was a large smart speaker system. It was deprecated in Dec 2020,[42] and it is unknown if it still receives any updates or retains smart speaker functionality.
Google Cardboard 2014 2021 Launched in June 2014, Google Cardboard was intended to be an affordable approach to consumer-level VR technology.[43] By 2019, interest was waning for the platform, and the SDK was open-sourced by Google.[44] In Mar 2021, Google stopped selling the hardware.[45]

Due to the age of Google Cardboard applications, hardware support can be extremely limited, as modern Android builds are known to not support applications for certain older Android versions, and various modern Android devices may be physically incompatible with the specifications of the headset.

Google OnHub 2015 2023 Launched in 2015, 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. In Dec 2021, Google halted software and security updates for these routers.[46] After Jan 2023, other features would be disabled like updating the Wi-Fi network settings, adding additional Wi-Fi devices, running speed tests, or using Google Assistant.[47]
Google Stadia 2019 2023 Launched in a closed beta in 2018, and publicly opened in Nov 2019,[48] Stadia was a cloud gaming service that allowed users to stream their games through web browsers, TV, mobile apps, and Chromecast. In Sept 2022, its storefront shut down,[49] and in Jan 2023, all services were concluded.[50]

Controllers were initially service-locked to Stadia,[51] however for a short period after the shutdown, users could update the gamepad's firmware to have it function as a generic Bluetooth gamepad.[52] Community-run alternative services in Jan 2026 were launched to allow owners who missed the opportunity to still update their controllers.[53]

Pixel Pass 2021 2023 Pixel Pass was a program launched in 2021 intended to be a monthly subscription model for Google Pixel owners to automatically upgrade their devices every 2 years. Before the 2-year mark was achieved, the service was shuttered, and no participants in the program received updated Pixel devices.[54] Google offered no refunds to participants in the Pixel Pass program, only $100 in credits for the respective platform they were paying for Pixel Pass on.[54]
DropCam 2009 2024 DropCam was independently launched in 2009 as a series of Wi-Fi video streaming cameras. Google purchased the company in Jun 2014.[55] All DropCam services were shuttered by Google in Apr 2024.[56]
Google Jamboard 2016 2025 Google Jamboard was an app and physical product meant to function as a digital interactive whiteboard launched in 2016. In Sep 2023, Google announced the service's retirement, by Oct 2024, it became read-only. In Jan 2025, all Jamboard services were shuttered.[57]

All Jamboard-powered devices were rendered into being monitors, unable to run any features meant for Jamboard.[57] Non-educational Jamboard owners were offered no refunds or other recourses.[58] Only educational institutions were offered hardware replacements, but had to pay for an annual $250 hardware registration fee for Google Meet support.[59]

Community versions of LineageOS were developed to restore functionality for the hardware.[60]

References

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  1. ↑ "Google launches Deskbar software". ComputerWeekly.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ogden, Cody. "Killed by Google". Killed by Google. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Google Buys Video Conferencing Software". PC World. April 21, 2007. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ "www.marratech.com - Marratech AB". www.marratech.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-25. Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  5. ↑ "Google welcomes Gizmo5". Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  6. ↑ "Industry Leaders Announce Open Platform to Bring Web to TV". May 20, 2010. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Samsung Plans Blu-ray Disc Google TV Release". Googletv.blogspot.com. January 7, 2011. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Google TV is finally dead. Long live Android TV". The Verge. June 25, 2014. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Fox.com now blocking Google TV devices". GTVHub. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Big Networks Block Web Shows From Google TV". The New York Times. October 21, 2010. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Comedy Central, MTV now blocking Google TV". CNET.com. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Google starts selling Project Glass prototype". Gadgets360. India: NDTV. Associated Press. 28 June 2012. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Google Glass sales halted but firm says kit is not dead". BBC News. 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  14. ↑ "Rory Cellan-Jones on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Glass OS was a product killed by Google in 2017". killedby.tech. Archived from the original on 2024-03-31. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  16. ↑ Arthur, Charles (2013-03-06). "Google Glass: is it a threat to our privacy?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  17. ↑ live, Carrie Marshall Google Glass could bring big changes to the way we (2013-03-01). "Google Glass: say goodbye to your privacy". TechRadar. Retrieved 2026-10-08. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  18. ↑ Warman, Matt (April 24, 2013). "Google Glass: we'll all need etiquette lessons". The Daily Telegraph (UK). London. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Meta's Controversial Data Policy on Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Sparks Privacy Debate". OpenTools. Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  20. ↑ News, Khidr Suleman In (2013-04-18). "Google bans developers from selling Glass headset". IT Pro. Retrieved 2026-10-08. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ↑ Kravets, David (2013-04-17). "Google Is Forbidding Users From Reselling, Loaning Glass Eyewear | Gadget Lab | Wired.com". Gadget Lab. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  22. ↑ Cunningham, Andrew (2015-01-25). "Don't cry for the Google Play edition program; it was already dead". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Google will stop supporting physical Google Wallet cards on June 30". Android Authority. 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  24. ↑ "Google Kills Nexus Series, Removes All Products From Google Store". Gadgets 360. Archived from the original on 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  25. ↑ "Google unveils its first touchscreen Chromebook Pixel". BBC News. 2013-02-21. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  26. ↑ Carman, Ashley (2016-08-30). "Pour one out, Google discontinued its 2015 Chromebook Pixel". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  27. ↑ Kellen (2018-08-27). "Google's Original Chromebook Pixel has Reached Its End of Life for Automatic Updates". Droid Life. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  28. ↑ Lardinois, Frederic (2019-01-11). "Google cans the Chromecast Audio". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  29. ↑ "Security updates & security validation results for Google's connected home devices - Help". support.google.com. Archived from the original on 2026-09-07. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  30. ↑ Gundotra, Vic; President, Senior Vice; Engineering. "Introducing the Google+ project: Real-life sharing, rethought for the web". Official Google Blog. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  31. ↑ "Shutting down Google+ for consumer (personal) accounts on April 2, 2019 - Google+ Help". support.google.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  32. ↑ Amadeo, Ron (2019-01-31). "Google+ shuts down April 2, all consumer data will be deleted". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  33. ↑ Welch, Chris (2019-04-10). "Google's new Currents app is its enterprise replacement for Google+". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  34. ↑ Clark, Mitchell (2022-02-11). "Google will shut down Currents, the work-focused Google Plus replacement". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  35. ↑ Robertson, Adi (2016-05-18). "Daydream is Google's Android-powered VR platform". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  36. ↑ "Google discontinues Daydream VR". VentureBeat. 2019-10-15. Archived from the original on 2023-07-23. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  37. ↑ Robertson, Adi (2020-10-02). "Android 11 officially drops support for Google's Daydream VR". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  38. ↑ Liptak, Andrew (2018-01-27). "Google begins selling its Clips camera". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  39. ↑ English, Cody (2019-10-15). "Google pulls first-gen Pixel Buds, Daydream View, and Google Clips from its Store". Android Police. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  40. ↑ Peters, Jay (2019-10-16). "Google Clips is dead". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  41. ↑ "Google confirms the Nest Secure has been discontinued, additional sensors will be available in December". Android Police. 2020-10-30. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  42. ↑ Li, Abner (2021-01-26). "[Update: Final] Google Home Max officially discontinued after going out of stock". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on 2026-04-28. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  43. ↑ "Cardboard is everything Google Glass never was". kernelmag.dailydot.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-28. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  44. ↑ Peters, Jay (2019-11-07). "Google is open sourcing Cardboard now that the Daydream is dead". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  45. ↑ Wilde, Damien (2021-03-03). "Google Store stops selling Cardboard VR headsets". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  46. ↑ Kellen (2021-12-20). "Google is Cutting Off OnHub Router Support Next Year". Droid Life. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  47. ↑ "Support for OnHub routers ending". Google Nest Help. Google Inc. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Google's Stadia Gaming Platform Price, Specifications - Highly Techno". Highly Techno. 2019-03-20. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  49. ↑ Robertson, Joshua (2022-09-30). "Google Stadia's Storefront Has Already Been Shut Down". TheGamer. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  50. ↑ "Stadia service is no longer available. Thanks for playing". stadia.google.com. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  51. ↑ "Stadia Bluetooth mode". stadia.google.com. Archived from the original on 2025-09-07. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  52. ↑ Mahmoud, Mustafa. "You now have one extra year to update your Stadia Controller's firmware". KitGuru. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  53. ↑ "The official Stadia Bluetooth site is gone, but there's still a way to update your controller". Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News. 2026-01-23. Archived from the original on 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Lawler, Richard (2023-08-31). "Google kills Pixel Pass without ever upgrading subscriber's phones". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  55. ↑ Gannes, Liz (2014-06-21). "Google's Nest Buys Dropcam for $555 Million". Re/code. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  56. ↑ Edwards, Nathan (2023-04-07). "Google will drop Dropcam and Nest Secure in 2024". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 "Google Jamboard is winding down - Jamboard Help". support.google.com. Archived from the original on 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  58. ↑ "Jamboard Hardware Agreement". Google Workspace. Archived from the original on 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  59. ↑ "Jamboard Replacement Program - Google Meet Series One". Avocor. Archived from the original on 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  60. ↑ npjohnson (2025-08-21). "[OFFICIAL] LineageOS 22 for the Google Jamboard [Android TV/Tablet]". XDA Forums. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
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