Four Years Later GMail still in Beta . . .
By Tom Foremski - September 13, 2008
Isn't it time Google dropped the "beta" on GMail and took full responsibility for the email service?
Why is it still hiding behind the "beta" label?
Does this mean the service will continue to be buggy and poor--some of the time? And that "beta" means we can't complain?
We complain when Apple's .Mac online service is buggy. But is that because it is a paid service and it is not in "beta?"
GOOG chose to finance GMail via advertisements, Apple chose subscriptions. Choice of business model shouldn't mean GOOG can shirk its responsibility to offer a solid service.
Over on ZDNet I said:"Drop the beta and take full responsibility Google. That is if you want people to take you seriously, and if you seriously want to be more than just “a search company."
It's seems to have struck a chord and has lots of comments.
It’s time GOOG dropped the beta on GMail . . . seriously | Tom Foremski: IMHO | ZDNet.com
By Tom Foremski - September 13, 2008 | Permalink | Comment
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Comments (3)
I think choice of business model does matter. In case of google, advertisers dont care if they are advertising on a buggy product as long as users keep on using it without complaining much. So even if Google loses some users, it will be a slow process, and they wont see immediate decline in their revenue.
Whereas in case of apple, the mullah comes directly from the users, so they will immediately react as they expect their $ to be worth.
Posted: September 13, 2008 4:59 PM
Most of today's web 2.0 applications are evolving everyday, and hence in perpetual beta. Nothing wrong in calling Gmail as beta, as they have evolved and they evolving by including new features like gchat, feedreaders, new navigational functionalities and so on. So, I belive, Google Mail and any of Google's products will be in perpetual beta.
Posted: September 14, 2008 9:18 AM
What makes you think gmails service is poor ? It may be beta but i have been using it as my primary mail for the past 3 years and have not had a problem.
Posted: November 12, 2008 8:45 PM