I sure the complaints came from the usual people... who don't know the difference between "unlisted" and "unpublished". What? Someone thinks Google has access to "super-private" phonebooks that no one else can access? (Now I have to wonder what's the real reason for dropping the "service".) |
I can believe that this was the real reason. The support costs of personally explaining the situation to these angry people would be high. |
I concur with Roger, it definitely makes sense terminating the service if it brings so much bad sentiments and costs.
It's a shame though, not that I've ever used it, but for the service to be cancelled just because of the unwittingness of some users. |
Hey we have a new blog post now since mid-December! Fine!! |
I suspect that complaints are not the only reason for removing it. There are many other Google features that I assume generate many complaints, but are not removed. Perhaps the reverse phone search elimination is related to Google's changed relationship with phone companies. Google also removed goog-411.
Google has removed or limited services or features after bad publicity. • Google now blurs some features in streetview images • Google claims to have stopped mapping wireless signals
Here is a sample of current Google features that are undesireable to many people. Google does not provide an official way to disable many of these.
Google web site: • the Google cookie or its very long expiration
Web Search: • Google suggest • Google instant results • SERP scrolling results • the sidebar • SERP links redirected through Google
Google Maps: • street view images • street view imaging or the street view vehicle
Google News: • continuous updates • fast flip
iGoogle: • the sidebar • continuous updates
Google Help: • may require being logged into a Google account
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Typing in a phone number (like my own) seems to still turn up all the other people who have that data somewhere on the WWW. |
Nice to see Blogoscoped back in action :) |