Google One VPN to Be Buried in the Google Graveyard: Here's What You Need to Know

By Shakir Bukhari

 


Hold onto your hats, Google One subscribers, because another service is being sent to the infamous "Google Graveyard." This time, it's Google One VPN, which is slated for discontinuation later in 2024.



Farewell, Free VPN

According to an email sent to customers, Google One will be phasing out two features: free shipping for select photo prints (starting May 15th) and, more notably, VPN by Google One. The company cites low usage as the reason for the VPN's demise.

This news comes just over a year after Google expanded VPN access to all Google One tiers, making it a more enticing perk for subscribers. However, it seems the broader availability wasn't enough to save the service.



Where to Go From Here

If you rely on Google One VPN, don't fret just yet. Google Pixel 7 and later users will still have access to a built-in VPN function through their device settings. Additionally, Google Fi subscribers can continue using the VPN offered through their mobile service.

For everyone else, it's time to explore alternative VPN providers. Popular options like Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer competitive pricing and features.



A Pattern of Abandonment

This isn't the first time Google has abruptly ended a service. Projects like Google Hangouts, Stadia, and Podcasts all met similar fates. This pattern of launch-and-abandon has left many users feeling frustrated and questioning Google's commitment to its products.



Theories Behind the Shutdown

There's no official explanation beyond "low usage," but some speculate that Google might be prioritizing data collection over user needs. With less-used services not generating enough valuable data, they get the axe.



The Future of Google Search?

The article concludes with a touch of speculation, wondering if Google Search might be next on the chopping block. With the rise of AI-powered search engines like DuckDuckGo incorporating VPN features, Google might be considering a rebranding or sunsetting of its core search product in favour of its new Gemini AI technology.



What do you think?

Did you use Google One VPN? Share your thoughts on Google's service shutdowns in the comments below. Let us know what services you miss and what alternatives you've found.

Shakir Bukhari

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1085388718508013

Comments

  1. Data & StatisticsApril 12, 2024 at 8:55 PM

    Google One offered a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service as part of its cloud storage plans. This perk allowed users to encrypt their online activity and mask their IP address for enhanced privacy. However, according to Google, the service wasn't getting enough traction.

    This news comes after Google recently discontinued its free Google Podcasts app and merged it with YouTube, a move that frustrated many users.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

YouTube's Secret AI Makeover: Innovation or Overstep? Why Creators Are Furious

By Shakir Bukhari
Image
  If you’ve been uploading YouTube Shorts lately and something about your video looks… different, you’re not imagining things. YouTube is facing a wave of backlash after it was revealed that the platform has been   secretly applying AI-driven enhancements to Shorts videos without creators’ consent . While the intent may have been to improve video quality and optimise playback, the lack of transparency has creators furious and for good reason. This controversy has sparked a heated debate about  AI ethics, creative control, and the future of content authenticity . Let’s break it down. What’s Actually Happening? Over the past few weeks, creators have begun noticing subtle yet noticeable changes in their Shorts after upload. Videos appeared sharper, colours more vibrant, and even faces slightly smoother. These tweaks weren’t part of the original upload; they were  automated AI enhancements applied by YouTube . According to YouTube, the experiment includes: Upscaling reso...
Read more

ChatGPT’s New Unified View: Voice, Live Transcripts & Maps — Speak, See, and Scan in One Chat

By Shakir Bukhari
Image
  OpenAI has reshaped how we talk to AI: ChatGPT now blends voice, live transcripts, and visual outputs (like maps and images) directly inside the regular chat window. That means you can speak naturally, watch a running transcript appear, and see interactive visuals, all inside the same conversation thread. This update cuts friction, boosts accessibility, and moves ChatGPT closer to a true multimodal assistant. Why this matters This change removes the old “voice-only” silo where audio lived on a separate screen. Now, voice input and audio responses live alongside the chat history and any visuals the model produces, so follow-ups, maps, and previous context are always visible while you talk. For practical tasks (directions, travel planning, hands-free research), that continuity is a big usability win. Compatibility & availability Platforms: The integrated voice experience is rolling out across mobile (iOS and Android) and the web. Rollout timing: The update began rolling out in ...
Read more

Google Confirms Gmail Spam Filter Glitch: Why Your Inbox Is Flooded and How to Fix It

By Shakir Bukhari
Image
  I f you woke up recently to a "Primary" inbox overflowing with promotional ads, newsletters, and suspicious spam that usually stays tucked away in the shadows, you aren’t alone. In what has become one of the most significant technical disruptions for the platform in recent years, Google has officially confirmed a widespread Gmail filtering issue causing chaos for millions of users worldwide. For a service that prides itself on using advanced AI to shield users from digital clutter, this sudden "spam-pocalypse" serves as a stark reminder of how much we rely on silent algorithms to keep our digital lives manageable. What was once neatly organised into Primary, Promotions, and Spam tabs suddenly turned into a Wild West of misclassified messages, sparking frustration and raising serious questions about the reliability of automated email systems. What’s Going Wrong With Gmail? The issue isn't a total outage; users can still send and receive mail, but the "brai...
Read more