Which Google projects will bite the dust?

Audio index makes too much sense to drop

I don't think that Google would ever drop the Audio indexing option - it's a hugely logical extension of the search business. The only reason, in my opinion, that it's still in the Labs rather than part of Google, is because it still really does need work. They also need to expand it.

Once they get the wrinkles out, and expand it beyond the current subset of information, this will give them a real edge.

I'm another big user of

I'm another big user of Google Notebook, especially for gathering information and for pulling together stuff from all over the Web. Google Notebook and Firefox is a killer combination. If Google did a better job of reaching out to Notebook users they would find new ways to leverage this very handy product into valuable markets.

I think Google Notebook is a

I think Google Notebook is a great little app. I use it with the Firefox plugin quite regularly.

Google Docs is another awesome product that takes Microsoft's new Live Office with the superior collaboration functionality of Google Docs.

I wholeheartedly disagree

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. Innovation has to be at the heart of creating the next generation of original stuff - and without new, original stuff there is nothing to monetize. My guess is Google want to be involved in the next generation so they will keep developing fringe projects and testing new things. The recession will come to an end and people will keep making money so it really isn’t something to worry about that much.

Google Maps

I'm sure Google Maps would never be cut because it does have enormous marketing possibilities. I happen to think it is a fantastic app both for the everyday user and businesses. However, I'm surprised that Google doesn't promote it more and I'm more surprised that business users don't tune into.

Maybe because it is inappropriated name "Maps". People may think it is only about getting directions. But it is so much more. Businesses can use it as an excellent promotional vehicle. Google allows up to 10 pictures and 5 videos for each business listing. And the great thing is businesses can optimize their listing to move it into the top ten search results.

Customers can do very refined searches. Say you are looking for a sports bar that shows Monday night football or a cosmetic dentist in Santa Monica that has Saturday appointments. You can enter this info in your search and get exactly what you want.

Maybe I'm just partial about Google maps because I have a business that optimizes Google Map listing to get people into the top ten search results. www.mymapinfo.com

Jaiku

Jaiku is very similar to Twitter that Google hasn't done much of anything with. It wouldn't surprise me to see it on the sacrifice altar.

Part of the problem is that Google lets many of its products go stale. Google Checkout is a good example of a product that really hasn't seen any major updates since it has been released. With better merchant rates then paypal checkout, Google Checkout would be a sure winner except that the checkout process needs some usability help.

Many of Google's wayside products would become more popular if they were to just release a good 2.0 version of it, instead of leaving it in a stale beta phase.

Google Notebook

Google Notebook is the best...can't do without it