Google is shutting down its Jamboard whiteboarding app

[Arthur]

More Google products join the graveyard.

 

Source: Google

 

What’s changing

In late 2024, we will wind down the Jamboard whiteboarding app as well as continue with the previously planned end of support for Google Jamboard devices. For those who are impacted by this change, we are committed to help you transition:

 

• We are integrating whiteboard tools such as FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro across Google Workspace so you can include them when collaborating in Meet, sharing content in Drive, or scheduling in Calendar.
   
   
  
• Further, we’re bringing these whiteboard solutions to the Series One Board 65 and Desk 27 devices by Avocor, so you can visually collaborate using a physical device and stylus.
   
   
  
• We will provide a retention and migration path for Jamboard data so you don’t lose any of the collaborative work that’s been created within your organization.
  

Admins of impacted Google Workspace customers will receive more detailed information and instructions via email. We’ll continue to provide reminders here on the Updates Blog throughout this process as well.

 

Transition timeline

 

Jamboard device:

• All Jamboard device license subscriptions (including education licenses) will end on 30 September 2024. If you have an upcoming 12-month subscription renewal, you will have the ability to renew your license subscription for a term that will end on 30 September 2024, at a prorated cost.
   
   
  
• If you need to back up any Jamboard device event logs from the Admin console, please do so before 30 September 2024. After this date, you will no longer be able to manage Jamboards from the Admin console and we will begin to delete device event log data.
   
   
  
• 1 October 2024, the 55-inch Jamboard device will reach its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) and will no longer receive security and feature updates or customer support from Google Workspace. At this time, we will also remove Jamboard device management from the Admin console, leaving the device with limited functionality. Our FAQ page contains details on how you can continue to use your 55-inch Jamboard device beyond its AUE date.
   
   
  
• Those looking for an alternative to the 55-inch Jamboard device can upgrade to the Google Meet Series One Board 65 and Desk 27 devices by Avocor. Both devices will have integrations with our partners’ whiteboarding software to replace the Jamboard app. We will follow up as we approach the AUE date with reminders and updates.
  

Jamboard app

• Starting 1 October 2024 you’ll no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iOS, and Android.
   
   
  
• Between 1 October 2024 and 31 December 2024, the app will be placed in “view-only” mode, during which time you will still be able to backup your Jam files. Learn more.
   
   
  
• On 31 December 2024, we will wind down the Jamboard application, meaning your users will no longer be able to access their Jam files and Jam files will be permanently deleted. In the coming months, we’ll provide Jamboard app users and admins clear paths to retain their Jamboard data or migrate it to FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro within just a few clicks, well before the Jamboard app winds down in late 2024. Review how you can generate a list of your Jamboard active users. Also, have your users download their Jam files
  

[jthompson]

At least it's happening nice and early in the academic year. It makes it easier to get the service turned off asap without having to wait until courses are finished.

[DalekSec]

Another one in the graveyard...

 

https://killedbygoogle.com/

[Koldov]

I guess it happens, but it's always a shame when you decide to go all in on a platform because you're drawn in by all the extras and then they pull the rug out from under you.

 

Not speaking personally, but I'm sure I read a couple of years ago that as SMART were going subscription (apart from those that are sticking to v11.4 forever) and site licensing was changing to be a more expensive type, there were quite a few posts saying that Jamboard was a great 'free' alternative...

 

I know nobody really expects free software/apps to be free forever these days I guess and provide costly support, R&D, security patches to old versions etc. But it always makes me think twice about going 'all in' on any particular platform. Especially when you know all the little extras aren't really part of their core focus.

 

I almost forgot what I was going to post....

 

Unfortunately I can't even remember what I was looking for when I saw this (as I've been running around with my head spinning like the girl in the Exorcist for the last 3 weeks), but I was looking for something on the internet a while ago and found a product page which basically had a couple of lines saying that "due to some changes in X,Y & Z, this product no longer works, sorry"... I wonder how much notice those that had bought it got?

 

EDIT: Found it! When I was looking for GPS car trackers a few days back...

 

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/67686/pn/010-00887-12

 

I mean, not a particularly current model I know but it just made me laugh and felt like a real 'kthxbye' moment...

Edited September 29, 2023 by Koldov

[jthompson]

This is why I'm always wary of anyone enthusiatically adopting some third-party web app that they've found. In this case, it's not exactly third-party, but if it's anywhere outside the core Workspace apps, then I'm wary.

 

On the other hand, Google did just announce that Chromebooks now get 10 years of update support, which is pretty good tbf.