iGoogle optimization discontinued for iPhone

by David Martin

Without warning, Google has quietly removed the iGoogle Web site formatted for the iPhone. The iPhone-formatted version of iGoogle now redirects users to the generic Google Web site formatted for mobile devices.

The version of the page that was unique to the iPhone, optimized for the Mobile Safari browser, and offered sections that were expandable or collapsible, used to display custom gadgets.

Despite the iGoogle move, the search giant appears to still be developing its Google applications for Apple's smartphone, including enhancements for voice searches, Google Earth exploration, and Google Maps directions and Street View.

You can see a YouTube video of iGoogle in action below.

Topics:: News

Tags:: igoogle,; google,; iphone,; discontinued

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (15 Comments)


by StevenMB January 20, 2009 6:41 AM PST: This is not entirely correct. The iphone optimized site is still live, and the igoogle login works just fine on my mac. The issue is that they've created a redirect for iphone users that takes us to the mobile site.

Aside from that, why wasn't CNet on top of this days ago, when it happened, and why isn't there any additional information available? Have you talked to google and apple about this?; Reply to this comment


by inachu January 20, 2009 7:14 AM PST: I never used it anyway.; Reply to this comment


by JRG1392 January 20, 2009 7:32 AM PST: I used it all the time and am incredably disappointed that they would remove it. I didn't actually use it on my iPod Touch but it read my G1 as an iPhone and was very useful that way. I hope that it was just so that it didn't compete with the iPhone and they will create a special optimized site for the G1.; Reply to this comment


by extotherule January 20, 2009 7:57 AM PST: I would say the old version was vastly superior. Who wants to deal with paging? it is just annoying. The way you used to be able to expand to read a snipit was fantastic. this is like 5 steps back.; Reply to this comment


by albioner January 20, 2009 8:38 AM PST: On my iPhone, after the redirect, google.com/m/ig displays only 4 feeds: two from one tab, two from another. My desktop version still displays 13 tabs with dozens of feeds. On the iPhone, no widgets to change tabs, no way to customize, nothing. Just 4 random feeds. That's just broken. Pity. Anyone else?; Reply to this comment


by joythemechanicalboy January 20, 2009 8:40 AM PST: i DID use it, and the generic mobile site is archaic compared to the iphone optimized version. this is a disappointment, but hopefully google will bring it back or fortify what they've got running now.; Reply to this comment

by smokinmunky January 20, 2009 9:31 AM PST

I think netvibes has a version that works on the iphone. Haven't tried it yet but it looks ok. I think this is nearing the end of google for me.

I'm now on a mission to go goggleless in 2009!!!!! Who's with me???????

Reply to this comment


by fjpoblam January 20, 2009 12:27 PM PST: Been working on it...monumental task, though. Gmail is good. Think I'll have to keep that much.


by arlyanagi January 21, 2009 5:54 PM PST: I'll wit you for going to googleless world :-)


by ultrasource January 20, 2009 12:30 PM PST: on your desktop or laptop, just go to igoogle mobile settings and choose which widgets you'd like to see.; Reply to this comment


by ultrasource January 20, 2009 12:32 PM PST: disregard my last comment. not very optimized.... :-/; Reply to this comment


by bmn_1213 January 20, 2009 3:38 PM PST: Wake Google up and let them know how you feel about this by posting your thoughts in the Google forums:

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Web+Search/thread?tid=6ff62ce418848f69&hl=en&fid=6ff62ce418848f69000460f260911967

Also submit feedback to Google regarding this issue using their feedback form:

http://services.google.com/surveys/mobile_search; Reply to this comment


by toomath January 20, 2009 6:54 PM PST: Seems to me Google should have a little more confidence in its mobile platform than to already be downgrading its service to the competition...; Reply to this comment


by alt117 January 20, 2009 7:11 PM PST: So we need a regular page, an iphone page and a mobile page? Why can't apple fix safari to work the same way as other browsers?; Reply to this comment


by designbysnow January 20, 2009 10:23 PM PST: www.google.com/ig/i?source=mofe

However, it really only half working.; Reply to this comment

(15 Comments)

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