Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Cloud

    Google Shutters Its Schemer Activity Planner App

    By
    Todd R. Weiss
    -
    January 13, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Google is closing down its beta Schemer app service that was started in December of 2011 as a way for users to plan their activities and reach their goals.

      The demise of Schemer was announced Jan. 10 in a post on the Schemer Google+ page.

      “The time has come for Schemer to power down,” the post stated. “Schemer launched in beta over a year ago to help inspire and motivate people to do more awesome stuff, and though the app is shutting down, the adventures will continue. You can use the ‘Explore’ section on Google Maps for Android and iOS to find interesting things to do around you, or Field Trip to uncover hidden or unique things in your city, among others.”

      All user data will be downloadable through Feb. 7 so that users may save their data, after which it will be permanently deleted, according to Google. A description of how the information can be saved is provided by Google in an FAQ.

      “In the meantime, stay curious, ambitious, daring, and above all, stay adventurous; thank you for all your support on this journey!” the post stated.

      Ironically, Schemer’s tag line in its brief life on its Website was “The beginning of everything worth doing.”

      When it was announced in December 2011, Schemer was unveiled by Google as a beta project described as anything from an activity recommendation engine to a social goal management tool, according to an earlier eWEEK report. Schemer was essentially a Web service that let users plan fun activities, complete them and share their experiences of completing those activities with others. Some examples of Schemer tasks included playing the large piano at FAO Schwarz in New York City or taking a bike ride up to Hawk Hill in San Francisco.

      “Whether it’s exploring a new city, checking out a friend’s movie recommendations, or just finding new activities for your weekends, Schemer lets you discover new things to do, share schemes with friends, and make the most of your day,” stated the original Schemer pitch on Google+. “Schemer is based on a simple yet powerful concept: schemes. A scheme is any activity you’d like to do.”

      Once users finished their tasks using Schemer, they could mark them with the message, “I’ve done it,” which recorded it in a list of accomplishments.

      The demise of Schemer is not the first time that Google has put an early end to an existing service. The company has over the last several years conducted several “housecleaning” projects in which they shuttered a wide range of products.

      In July 2013, Google closed down the Google Reader RSS reader, which inspired several unsuccessful petition efforts from fans to save the service. Google cited declining usage for the end of Reader.

      In October 2012, it shut down a group of underutilized services, including AdSense for Feeds, Spreadsheet Gadgets and the Places Directory Android app, according to an earlier eWEEK report.

      In July 2012, Google killed off the Google Mini enterprise search appliance, the iGoogle personalized home page and several other Web-based services as the housecleaning effort continued.

      Todd R. Weiss
      As a technology journalist covering enterprise IT for more than 15 years, I joined eWEEK.com in September 2014 as the site's senior writer covering all things mobile. I write about smartphones, tablets, laptops, assorted mobile gadgets and services,mobile carriers and much more. I formerly was a staff writer for Computerworld.com from 2000 to 2008 and previously wrote for daily newspapers in eastern Pennsylvania. I'm an avid traveler, motorcyclist, technology lover, cook, reader, tinkerer and mechanic. I drove a yellow taxicab in college and collect toy taxis and taxi business cards from around the world.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×