Google closes down Google Wave

Google proudly launched Wave at its I/O conference on May 27, 2009, describing it as “a new web application for real-time communication and collaboration.”

Google Wave is the brainchild of Google Australia’s Lars Rasmussen. The application was launched last year among much fanfare. Initially, it generated a lot of buzz due to its ability to allow people communicate in groups.

However, soon the buzz faded and the application failed to take off.

Commenting on the company’s decision to pull the plug on Wave, Urs Holzle, Google’s senior vice president of operations and Google fellow, wrote in his blog post entry:

"Despite wins and numerous loyal fans, Wave has not seen the user adoption we would have liked. We don't plan to continue developing Wave as a standalone product, but we will maintain the site, at least through the end of the year, and extend the technology for use in other Google projects."

Downfall explained
Market analysts, keeping tabs on the whole issue, believe that complexities involved in understanding the operational procedure of Wave is the main reason that ultimately led to its death.

Google Wave is the brainchild of Google Australia’s Lars Rasmussen.The application was launched last year among much fanfare. Initially, it generated a lot of buzz due to its ability to allow people communicate in groups.

Interestingly, from the beginning there was a debate on how the tool will be used for social networking by users when products developers seemed unclear about it.

"It takes a little getting used to. We're still learning how to use it,” had said Wave’s creator, Rasmussen, in one of his interviews during the launch.

Even Google's co-founder, Sergey Brin, found the concept “kind of crazy” due to the complexities involved and was reportedly doubtful about its success.

However, Google went ahead with Wave and what followed was failed attempt to break out of email to more collaborative social platforms.

On this Holzle wrote, "We were equally jazzed about Google Wave internally, even though we weren't quite sure how users would respond to this radically different kind of communication.”

Google to 'continue to create innovations'
Holzle concluded on his blog that Wave might have failed but they have learned many valuable lessons which will be helpful in future innovations.

"Wave has taught us a lot and we are proud of the team for the ways in which they have pushed the boundaries of computer science. We are excited about what they will develop next as we continue to create innovations with the potential to advance technology and the wider web."