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Just over a year ago Google snapped up a little social outfit called Meebo, quickly dismantling most of the firm's services. The lone survivor? The Meebo Bar, an unobtrusive social toolbar that offers Facebook, Twitter and Google+ connectivity as well as minimal advertising. Nothing lasts forever though -- Meebo has announced that the Meebo Bar will stop functioning on June 6th 2013. It's a bit of a bummer for sites that employ the tool, but at least they won't have to do anything to deactivate the service: Meebo says the code should become inert as soon as the service discontinues. The team says it plans to focus its efforts on Google+ Sign-In and Google+ plug-ins, which it sees as the best way to serve desktop and mobile publishers in the future.
Source: Meebo
Back in the balmy heat of June Google snapped up (and then largely dismantled) a new property by the name of Meebo. Now, as winter starts to bite, it looks like the one part it was going to keep -- the tool bar -- is back in full Google livery. The discovery comes after a few eagle-eyed users noticed it on TV Guide. The bar itself seems pretty unobtrusive right now, with just some site specific menus on the left hand side, with the expected Google+ sharing options on the right. Overall, though, things look much like before only more... Googly. Don't believe us? Or just want to see what's different? Head over to the more coverage links for a good old before and after.
Via: The Next Web
To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn). There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn). Sometimes those seasons can get a bit convoluted, however -- or such is the premise of Google's "Spring cleaning in summer" post, outlining the end of a handful of tech offerings. Because heck, even a company as big as Google has to pick its battles. On the chopping block this time out are the Google Mini enterprise search system, the Google Talk Chatback widget, Google Video, iGoogle and the Symbian search app. Of course, the company won't be leaving people hanging entirely. Google's pushing users toward existing properties like the Meebo bar for Talk Chatback and YouTube for Google Video (which already stopped taking uploads a while back), the latter of which will be fully integrated into the more popular video offering come August. More info on what all this means in the source link below.
Google retiring iGoogle, Google Mini, others for 'spring cleaning' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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News barely just hit the airwaves about Google snapping up social platform Meebo, and already it's being dismantled. As from July 11th, Meebo Messenger, Sharing on Meebo, MeeboMe and all the mobile apps will be shutting down. In the meantime you'll still be able to download chat logs, sharing history and so on, but you'll need to hop on quick, before the final curtain. Meebo does confirm, however, that its Bar product will continue to be available, and receive support, for the at least the coming months.
PSA: Some Meebo services shutting down starting next month originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jun 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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An interesting twist in the world of social media came today with confirmation that Google has entered into an agreement to purchase Meebo, a company known for its eponymous Meebo Bar. Primarily a platform that's intended to drive consumer engagement with brands via a social medium, Meebo also provides advertisers a less-intrusive way to reach their target audiences. Meebo announced the acquisition on its blog, and hints that its team will work with Google to grow and improve the platform. It's unclear whether Google intends to integrate the Meebo Bar into its own online properties, or whether the Mountain View giant simply views it as a method to increase its advertising reach. Regardless, it seems a bit of a no-brainer that Google+ will soon find a new home in the Meebo Bar. While the final purchase price remains a bit of a mystery, AllThingsD sources peg the deal in the neighborhood of $100 million. Not a bad way to start a Monday.
Update: TechCrunch has confirmed the purchase price to be "around $100 million," with most of the team to work on Google+. Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone will be making the jump, with layoffs aimed at "sales and marketing."
Google set to gobble up Meebo, plans to expand the social platform to new heights originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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