Now, Google is killing its Cloud Print service
What's the story
After shutting down Cardboard and Daydream View, Google has announced the plan to kill another big product, Cloud Print. The internet giant has announced that the service, which lets you print web pages/content to a local printer (even one without internet), will be discontinued on December 31, 2020. Users will now have to switch to another printing solution. Here's all about Google's plan.
Working
Cloud Print worked seamlessly but never came out of beta
Cloud Print has been serving as an ideal solution to print stuff from the web, due to its ability to work on any device - be it an Android, iOS, or Chrome machine - and with any old printer. However, the weird part is, the service has always been in beta since debuting in 2010; it will die with the same tag in 2020.
Recommendation
Google wants to switch to another printing solution
Google's plan to kill Cloud Print came into the light through a recently published support document. "Beginning January 1, 2021, devices across all operating systems will no longer be able to print using Google Cloud Print," the company said, adding that "We recommend that over the next year, you identify an alternative [printing] solution and execute a migration strategy."
Information
What printing solution would be suitable?
In the document, Google emphasized that users should switch to the "native printing infrastructure" of the operating system they are using on their phone or desktop.
Twitter Post
Here's the support document
RIP to Google Cloud Print!
— Lukas Karlsson (@lukwam) November 21, 2019
This is a disaster. All my printers use this. My parents' printers use this. All our printers at work use this. Hosed. pic.twitter.com/eeYafb0Mx3
Reason
Reason for shut down still remains unclear
While the end of Cloud Print is confirmed, it remains unclear why the internet giant decided to throw the service on the chopping block. It has not provided a statement on the matter. Either way, considering the flurry tweets mourning the end of Cloud Print, we expect a large number of people were using the service and will be switching to something different now.
Graveyard
Google graveyard continues to grow big
That said, Cloud Print marks the end of another crucial Google product. The company has killed a number of products over the past few months, including the Daydream View VR headset, Google Cardboard, and the original Pixel buds. Meanwhile, you can see the name of all the products Google has killed till now by heading over to this online graveyard.