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Google Nixes Some Calendar Features and Other Software Offerings
An anonymous reader writes "Google on Friday announced it is shutting down a slew of features and services as part of its winter cleaning. Google Calendar will be losing a few features, Google Sync will be axed (on the consumer side), as will Google Calendar Sync, SyncML, the Issue Tracker Data API, and the Punchd app."
I hate it
iOS and android, I hate both versions
Might use yahoo again
I prefer to use rackspace. For $3 a month I can get quality email and mobile syncing of calendars, contacts, etc and without the data snooping and surprises of shit just disappearing when Google feels like it.
Yes it costs money but if you can't afford $3 a month then stick with the data snoop or consider getting a job.
Does this mean Android will FINALLY have decent out of the box carddav/caldav support?
That's one of the biggest things that I've preferred iOS to Android. That, and the stupid way applications are stored on the system partition so you 'run out of free space' despite having gigabytes free.
Some of them even refuse to die! now that's a product!
On other news sites, I read that Google today announces 18 new features. http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2012/12/google-communities-and-photos.html etc.
And here: http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/14/google-gives-google-end-of-year-update-adds-low-bandwidth-hangouts-full-size-mobile-photo-backups-better-event-planning-animated-gifs-and-more/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+(TechCrunch)&source=email_rt_mc_body&ifp=0
Just Google it...
But on Slashdot, I read that drivel coming right out of Burston-Marsteller, or some other PR drone.
This is supposed to be a technology forum but somehow, some Slashdot editors perhaps seem to think that this is 'provoking' material, in the good sense of being humorous and driving up the number of comments?
But at what price? At what price, just in terms of credibility, for a beginning?
Could someone answer that?
Say what you want about Microsoft's shoddy products, at least they're consistent.
*cough* Plays4Sure *cough*
At least Google doesn't demand you pay for the services they discontinue.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
Not unless you're using Exchange to do it:
Google Sync was designed to allow access to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Contacts via the Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® protocol. With the recent launch of CardDAV, Google now offers similar access via IMAP, CalDAV, and CardDAV, making it possible to build a seamless sync experience using open protocols.
GoogleSync and GoogleCalendarSync are Google's implementation of ActiveSync; they're not used to describe the general syncing features Google offers. This announcement is basically saying they're retiring a proprietary protocol in favour of open standards.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
Seems like every time I sign up for a non-Google service and get used to it, within a couple years Google pull the rug out from under me.
When I signed up for GrandCentral it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And then Google came in, brought the company, re-branded their service as Google Voice, and then shutdown GrandCentral. The problem is, Google Voice doesn't support Canadian numbers, but GrandCentral did. It's been 3 years since then and I'm still waiting for Google Voice to come up north to restore the service I lost 3 years ago.
I know, I know, it's a free economy and Google can buy whatever company they want. Neither GrandCentral nor Google owe me any service and they're in no obligation to provide any service to Canada. But I still wish Google hasn't done that.
The summary was pretty terribly worded -- it didn't get across the fact that, essentially, this is stuff you're horridly unlikely to be using. The actual article was much clearer and more matter-of-fact about it.
That's because the summary wasn't designed to inform, it was designed to enrage. This is what passes for journalism these days.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
Well, you're ignorant enough not to know what CalDAV is, yet still consider yourself knowledgeable enough to comment on the field, so I'd say that you're the natural target audience for trollish, flamebait headlines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CalDAV#Implementations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CardDAV#Implementations
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/en/us/IntellectualProperty/IPLicensing/Programs/ExchangeActiveSyncProtocol.aspx
Also note that ActiveSync requires an MS license to implement. Now that's lock-in.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
Seems like every time I sign up for a Google service and get used to it, within a couple years they pull the rug out from under me.
Apple is the same way - which is why I'm not relying on any of their services too heavily.
iTools became .Mac, which became MobileMe, which spawned iWork.com which shut down when MobileMe went away with the launch of iCloud.
Say what you want about Microsoft's shoddy products, at least they're consistent.
"Here is this new initative called Plays For Sure! "
*introduces the Zune*
"Plays for Sure is not supported on the Microsoft Zune®"
I am sad to see these go. Appointment slots have become increasingly useful in our department. We were getting ready to roll out a trial use of appointment slots to allow our students to self-reserve appointments with our department advisors... but now that's obviously not going to happen.
#DeleteChrome
No more push email for iOS (currently done via exchange)? That's the last reason I actually use any Google services.
I've been moving away from Google for about a year now because I feel that they have turned form only partially evil to complete evil. Eliminating push email is the final trigger to get me to completely eliminate Google services from my life.
Goodbye Google, and thanks for the years of services. Good luck with that G+ thing that you're pushing so hard. I'm sure someone likes it, since you've managed to alienate so many by forcing it upon us (and yes - I would say "forced" is adequate - the last gmail account I signed up for automatically had a G+ profile created...).
So they are essentially forcing me to use two applications for my email then, if I want push from them (since they are far from the only email provider I use).
Same shit different pile ;). All said, it's a move I've been intending for awhile anyway, so this is just motivation to make the move away from their services.
I was using the new Google Maps app for iOS the other day and it seems like every page i open it wants me to sign into my Google account so they can track me. Deleted. I prefer paid offline maps anyway, since I live in Canada and often travel where cell coverage is limited.
Turning off support for syncing Symbian/S60 devices will also cripple the non-Symbian devices that support Mail For Exchange; the N9, N900 and N950.
Since it's an open source protocol, your other mail apps are welcome to implement the feature. Or you could switch to one that supports open source protocols for all your email. Perhaps contacting the developer might help?
Watch for Penguins, they eat Apples and throw rocks at Windows.
They're getting rid of the "Exchange nonsense". They're switching from the exchange MAPI protocols to open protocols.
Watch for Penguins, they eat Apples and throw rocks at Windows.
Welcome to the sweet world of Cloud. Where everything is cheap and available. Until it is not..
Lesson learned: If your business depends on specific tools or functionality, set up your own infrastructure.
To Terminate, or not to Terminate, that's the question - SCSIROB
You guys really need a dictionary.
spy /sp/
Noun: A person who secretly collects and reports information about an enemy or competitor.
Verb: Work for an organization by secretly collecting information about enemies or competitors.
Note the word 'secretly'. I dont think this counts as secret: https://www.google.com/dashboard/
Welcome to the sweet world of Cloud. Where everything is cheap and available. Until it is not..
Lesson learned: If your business depends on specific tools or functionality, set up your own infrastructure.
Exactly.
It's the little things that really get to me. Logged into Google Docs not too long ago and discovered that all support for exporting as plain .doc files had been removed. No warning. Just gone.
"Just use .docx and join us in the 21st century!" I know. But the fact that the feature was taken away without asking, or even being told ahead of time... that's infuriating.
How many times have you kept a legacy piece of software around for a specific reason? Now imagine having it erased, along with all backup copies. Shitty, huh?
I use the hell out of Apple and Google products, but I'm really tired of hearing "Just trust us this time. This is the real cloud-based solution! We're not going to pull the rug out from under you again!"
I use the cloud for matters of convenience, not necessity. And I don't see that changing anytime soon.
At least Google doesn't demand you pay for the services they discontinue.
From TFAnnouncement:
Sounds like paid-only availability to me.
My exception safety is -fno-exceptions.
This is why I don't use cloud/web apps and specifically don't use Google products. If I'm using a tool to get my work done I don't want the maker suddenly yanking it or even features out from under me.
You do realize why they don't support Canadian numbers right? They'd have to be classified as a telecommunications company. Then they'd be subject to CRTC regulations, foreign ownership rules, etc..
They got whatever licences GrandCentral had, but haven't bothered trying to extend them or renew them.
Entering into the Telecommunications market in Canada can be a scary beast, especially if you're not canadian. Wind learned all about that.
This really doesn't look much like legalese to me. Seems a lot like plain english. Let me guess, you never actually read it? http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/
Watch for Penguins, they eat Apples and throw rocks at Windows.