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.