Image via Complex Original
Intro
Google's not having the best week ever. The company that preaches "Don't be evil" has been the target of a lot of hate. When it implemented the new look of its Gmail and Reader services, users balked, saying it was unsightly and more complicated than the previous versions. When the highly anticipated Gmail iPhone app finally hit the Apple App Store, Google immediately pulled it due to a bug that caused it to break notifications. Many questioned what was going on at Google, and if the company had a handle on what was going on at the Mountain View, Calif. company. We're not sure why they were so surprised. Google makes mistakes like any other company. Remember these?
Buzz
5. Google Buzz, 2010
Before Google+ there was Google Buzz. Integrated into Gmail, Buzz allowed users to share photos, links, messages, and updates. When a user posted, they could have their post sent to a number of different Google platforms. Shortly after its release, Buzz faced harsh criticism for its lax privacy controls, and was even brought court by a Harvard Law Student who alleged that Google violated numerous privacy protection laws. Last month, Google announced it was shutting down Buzz to focus on its newest social network, Google+. Lets see how this turns out.
Groupon
4. Failure to buy Groupon, 2010
On November 4, Groupon, the daily deal service went public, and raised $700 million, making it the second largest initial public offering by a U.S. Internet company since Google raised $1.7 billion in 2004. Groupon is now valued at $13 billion. Last year, Google failed to buy Groupon for $6 billion. Many said it was crazy for wanting to do and the search giant backed off after talks stalled. Who's crazy now?
AOL
3. Investing in AOL, 2005
If someone told you to invest in AOL today, you would probably refrain from taking anything they said seriously from that moment on. However, back in '05, Google saw fit to plunge $1 billion into America Online for a 5% stake in the company. Suffice to say, Google didn't get a good return on its investment. In 2009, AOL's revenue fell by 23%, and Google sold its stake for $283 million. Ouch.
Java
2. Failure to buy Sun Microsystems, 2009
The tech industry today is driven not be ceaseless innovation, but rather stringent litigation. The world's largest mobile handset makers and software companies are currently embroiled in a massive lawsuit over patents and copyright infringement. In 2009, Oracle purchased Sun for $7.4 billion. Along with the company came the rights to Java, a technology used heavily in a number of devices and software including Google's Android. Oracle immediately took Google to court to siphon out some dough for the use of its technology. If Oracle wins it could get more way more than $7.4 billion out of Google…
Wave
1. Google Wave, 2009
Promoted as the future of online communication, Google Wave promised to allow users to collaborate and edit work in real-time. Google said its mission was to combine the virtues of email, social networking, and instant messaging. It did neither of the three. Though a platform that could have turned into something with a little more refinement, Wave flopped. When used the benefits seemed minimal, partially because there were no users. Google wised up and cancelled development a year later.