Google turned thirteen on September 27, 2011 and much like any teenager, it seems to be going through some noticeable changes. In its formative years, Google introduced some fun and some useful features to its search engine like the Google Doodle, Easter Rgg search queries and Google Labs, all of which played a great role in attracting more users. Thirteen years on and Google has spread its influence with several successful web services including image search, Gmail, Maps, Earth, and Docs. They've even got a firm foothold in the mobile OS market with Android. But in recent months things seem to be a bit different at the Googleplex: some services have been discontinued and others are seeing drastic changes.
Google discontinues Buzz
As we entered November, users encountered a notification when they logged in to their Gmail accounts that informed them that Google was closing down Buzz. You can't say that this was unexpected, with Buzz failing to create much of a stir amongst users. Launched in February 2010, Buzz was seen as a threat to Twitter and Facebook but failed to live up to expectations, and in a statement made by Google's VP of product on the official Google Blog, he stated that Google Buzz and the Buzz API was going to be shut down with the focus being transferred to Google+, Google's latest attempt at a social networking site. The announcement did not seem to affect most users as Buzz was on its last legs anyway but with the decision to shut down Buzz, Jaiku and iGoogle's social features, it's an unofficial admission of defeat in the social networking space.
Gmail app for iOS
At the start of November Google also rolled out the Gmail app for iOS, a much anticipated application considering the worldwide popularity of Gmail. The anticipation soon turned into dismay however as users and reviewers shot down the app calling it “a mess” and “unusable”. It displayed an error message on startup and those that managed to get the app running pointed out issues with the Gmail notifications. The bugs in the app and the disastrous responses forced Google to withdraw the app on the day it was launched, with an update on the Google blog that read: “Earlier today we launched a new Gmail app for iOS. Unfortunately, it contained a bug which broke notifications and caused users to see an error message when first opening the app. We've removed the app while we correct the problem, and we're working to bring you a new version soon. Everyone who's already installed the app can continue to use it.”
Gmail makeover
In the same week, Google also unveiled a redesign for Gmail, which is arguably one of the most successful Google services after web search. Redesigns are part of any long-running service, much like the frequent redesigns that Facebook undergoes, but the latest Gmail changes have received a rather mixed response. Google notified its mail client users that they had “refined their pixels”, giving Gmail a cleaner look. The changes include an option to select from three different display densities to vary the amount of white space in your inbox, layout modifications that allow you to manually adjust the chat and labels windows and you can even move the chat box to the right hand side of the screen. Other changes include a more minimalist appearance by replacing text on buttons with icons, labels displayed above the inbox as tabs and a new mail display that makes your mails look more like a chat conversation and even the option to add a display image to your contacts. Google has also made Gmail more adaptable, in that the layout automatically resizes itself to fit any size of window. Advanced search options and filters make searching for a specific e-mail much easier. There are also new HD themes to personalize your inbox with.
While these changes might seem quite useful, some users have expressed their dislike on social networking sites and blogs. Google has given users the option to temporarily switch back to the old Gmail format for now but has stated clearly that the new design will soon be made permanent. Hopefully, we can all adapt to the new layout by then.
Facelift for Reader
Along with changes to Gmail, Google also revamped their Google Reader service that enables you to compile all your subscribed RSS feeds into one simple and easy-to-use interface. Reader gained a lot of popularity from its networking capabilities, with which users could follow and subscribe to other users' feeds, enabling the spread and sharing of information at a much faster rate. Reader was given a facelift to give it the new “Google look”, which was accepted as part of a standardisation of all Google products to match the appearance of Gmail and Google+. But Google also made two big changes to the sharing capabilities of Google Reader. The new Reader drops the feature of subscribing to other users' feeds, in an effort to drive more users to Google+ for social networking, which has led to a massive outcry from loyal Reader users. Google has also taken away the option to share posts to social networks apart from Google+. Once again this can be construed as a move to promote Google+. All in all, the changes to Google Reader have caused a lot of resentment amongst its users who have been quite vocal about it.
Google labs shutdown
Google Labs had always been known for fun, funky and useful tweaks and services that were created by Google's employees in their famous “20 per cent" personal time. Labs was generally used to give an application or service a test run before Google decided whether to dedicate more time and money to it. Services such as Google News, Google Reader, Google Trends and Google Maps all graduated from Labs. Although Google announced the discontinuation of Labs in early July, before its 13th birthday, the service is not completely dead. There is still a Google Labs for Gmail which contains tweaks for your mail account. The company will not be killing the “20 per cent time” which plays a great role in attracting creative and innovative engineers to it. What this means is that the new services, tools and applications are more likely to be integrated with existing products such as Gmail, Google+, etc instead of getting a dry run and the community feedback that Google Labs offered.
Android market redesign
Android users will also have noticed that the Android market app got a drastic makeover recently with a far more complicated and more colourful layout which is quite un-Google like. The market is not only getting aesthetic changes, as reports surface that Google is unhappy with the revenue generated from app purchases through the Android market. While the company hasn't made any official comment yet, do not be surprised to find changes in the Android market functionality, with rumours that suggest Google is leaning towards in-app payments and carrier billing which will add your app purchases to your service provider's monthly bill.
Easter Eggs
It's not all doom and gloom for Google though; they're still powering on with the Doodles and some Easter Eggs are still around to remind you that Google is still a child at heart. Certain search terms can make your browser do entertaining things—simple, but enough to ease some of your stress.
The most recent Easter Egg to go viral is “Do a barrel roll”. Search for “Do a barrel roll” in Google to see the results page do a 360 degree roll—absolutely pointless (except for demonstrating new browser technology) but still manages to entertain you time and again. Type “Google Gravity” and click “I'm feeling lucky” to see all the elements of the page fall to the bottom of your window.
The search engine is still fully functional but you just have to manage to sort your way through the button debris.
Searching for “Tilt” or “Askew” makes the search result page tilt just a few degrees. On searching for “ascii art” Google rewards your inner nerd with a special logo. When you search for “Recursion” Google asks “Did you mean: Recursion”. And even in the new Google Reader, press “Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left Right, B, A” to see a Ninja creep onto your screen, before quietly fading out. Some children never do grow up!