"Throwing a product out to the world with the world beta on it is not a feedback loop. Sitting down with users, developers, thought leaders is."

I think Google actually invest rather a lot in finding out how people use their applications (most recently in London – offering free computer use and internet access). But in typical Google fashion, they do it behind the scenes, without coming right out and asking what users really think.

...and then releasing some beta which hangs for few years with few not-community-asked improvments. I say grow-up.
Maybe Google should change theirs motto to: "BETA this than nothing"