A few more words on Google shuttering "Helpouts" ... Earlier today, I noted on my lists that Google had announced the upcoming shuttering of their "Helpout" service, which was designed to use Google video Hangouts to connect qualified experts and users seeking services/help in a wide range of situations. It was publicly announced only around 15 months ago. I thought it had enormous potential, but was concerned that it was hardly being promoted by Google.
( https://support.google.com/helpouts/answer/6167468 ) In Google's announcement today, they state explicitly that "it hasn't grown at the pace we had expected" as the reason for the shutdown. I would assert that a lack of promotion and public awareness is intrinsically related to such lack of growth issues in this case. Now, here's the clincher. Since I sent that email this morning, my inbox has been flooded with readers -- most of whom say they are regular users of Google services -- Gmail, YouTube, Blogger, G+, and more -- who tell me that they've never even *heard* of Google Helpouts! Self-fulfilling product deprecation prophecy? It sure looks that way. --Lauren-- Lauren Weinstein ([email protected]): http://www.vortex.com/lauren Founder: - Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org - PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com/privacy-info Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org/pfir-info Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com Google+: http://google.com/+LaurenWeinstein Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurenweinstein Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com _______________________________________________ pfir mailing list http://lists.pfir.org/mailman/listinfo/pfir
