The digital graveyard of closed online services grew in 2019. Among the tech giants, Google was again the champion of sites and apps that no longer exist: from Inbox to Google+, the company had at least five casualties last year. Apple, Facebook and Microsoft also contributed to abandoned systems or those that resulted in new software. Below are eight online services that have stopped working.
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Remember social networks and websites that ended in 2019 Photo: Nicolly Vimercate / dnetc
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iTunes had dismembered functions between Finder and Music, Podcasts and TV apps Photo: Melissa Cruz / dnetc
One of Apple's most traditional programs, iTunes was closed in 2019. In the announcement during the last WWDC, Tim Cook acknowledged that the software has become confused over time and has even played with the vast amount of resources it has accumulated so far.
From macOS Catalina, Mac users start syncing the iPhone directly through the Finder, in addition to searching for music, videos and podcasts in independent applications: Music, Podcasts and TV. On the other hand, nothing changes for Windows users: iTunes remains available in the Microsoft store, at least until new applications gain versions for the competing platform.
Google+ came to an end after two consecutive leaks Photo: Divulgao / Google
Following two user data leaks in 2018, Google put an end to the Google+ story. The social network had scheduled the closure for August after information about 500,000 people had been exposed. However, a second incident impacting 52.5 million accounts shortened the deadline to April last year.
The network was created in 2011, but it never generated much engagement from users. Some technology groups have even gathered a large base of members, but Google's own data indicates that 90% of logins on the platform lasted only five seconds online. Among the main inheritances of the service is Hangouts, a video conferencing tool that will migrate in 2020 to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, both aimed at the business public.
With simultaneous launch, Google Allo was not as successful as Google Duo Photo: Raquel Freire / dnetc
With the end of Google+ and Hangouts for the general public, the company invested heavily in the duo Duo and Allo, but only the first app remained on the air. Google Allo was a chat app that had Google Assistant built in, but the initiative never took off in the face of competition from WhatsApp and other popular apps. Launched in 2016, the project ended in March. Currently, Google's bet is on RCS, a standard considered as the evolution of SMS.
Google Trips functions are now available only in the web version Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetc
In August, Google put an end to Trips, a travel app that organized tickets, hotels and helped create a mobile itinerary, with access to lists of restaurants and tourist spots. The company did not give many explanations about the termination of the service, carried out in August. Several functions of the application are still available at google/travel. But, for more detailed itineraries, it is necessary to choose alternative services.
Inbox by Gmail had functions inherited by Gmail Photo: Anna Kellen / dnetc
The Google Inbox was one of the main products of the company to end in 2019. Kind of an experiment lab for email functions, the service was known for its advanced functions and for bringing a cleaner look than Gmail. It ended completely in March, just in time for the company's most famous app to gain much of its resources: postpone and fix messages (star), in addition to receiving a renewed interface.
However, months after the migration, Gmail still has no inbox reminders or Inbox's smart categorization system. On the other hand, users gained an automatic composition system (Smart Compose) and advanced encryption (Confidential Mode).
Unlimited backup app, Facebook Moments ended in 2019 Photo: Divulgao / Facebook
Facebook also closed its doors for at least one service in 2019. Moments, an application for unlimited photo storage and sharing, similar to Google Photos, was completed in February. The social network did not give details about the reasons that led to the end of the service. Behind the scenes, it is said that users had difficulty understanding if their library was really private or if it was visible to the network of friends automatically.
Instagram abandoned independent app and concentrated or Direct functions on the social network Photo: Gabrielle Lancellotti / dnetc
Created to rival Snapchat, the Direct from Instagram chat app lost its official support in mid-2019. In May, Instagram announced that users should focus on the messaging function of the main app, and no longer on a separate app. The app is still available on Google Play, but can no longer be downloaded.
In August, a Bloomberg publication revealed that Facebook planned to unify its messaging platforms around Messenger technology. However, two months later, the company launched another program: Threads, aimed at private conversations. His acceptance, however, has not been so positive.
8. Microsoft Health and Band Companion
Microsoft health and fitness tracking apps and services have ended with Microsoft Band Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft
Microsoft has taken down the Microsoft Band bracelet-related applications and services, which was discontinued in 2017. The Band Companion app, as well as the Microsoft Health health platform, closed at the end of May, leaving the manufacturer's store as well as the Google Play and the App Store. Whoever bought the first or second generation device could even get a refund. The product was never commercialized in Brazil.
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