As part of that process [of prioritizing company efforts], we’ve decided to wind down Google Labs. While we’ve learned a huge amount by launching very early prototypes in Labs, we believe that greater focus is crucial if we’re to make the most of the extraordinary opportunities ahead.
In many cases, this will mean ending Labs experiments—in others we’ll incorporate Labs products and technologies into different product areas. And many of the Labs products that are Android apps today will continue to be available on Android Market. We’ll update you on our progress via the Google Labs website.
It will be interesting to see which products currently available in the lab will be incorporated into other GOOG technologies.
In recent weeks Google users have seen the elimination of Google’s vertical search sites (Uncle Sam is an example) along with the Wonder Wheel product.
Google Labs was not only a place to explore and test ideas but it was also a great way for Google to keep their name and more importantly new ideas in from the the tech geek/early adopter crowd that has been so good to them. Although Google releases a lot of products early (sometimes too early) it’s hard to believe that they will not continue to provide cool stuff for tech geeks to demo and discuss somewhere online. Finally, Google Labs was also a place for these users to provide feedback to the company. Again, another useful way to keep the important early adopters involved and talking to each other and to the company. In fact, discussions about lab products that the company monitored probably provided some useful ideas.
Coverage
“Google Shuttering Google Labs” (via Mashable)
“Google Labs, a Relic of the Pre-Plus Era, Will be Closed” (via Read Write Web)
About Gary Price
