Google+ Local App To Go The Way Of Google Reader, Set To Be Retired On Aug. 7
July 26, 2013
Google+ Local for iOS will soon be joining Google Reader and the other dearly departed services in the infamous Google Graveyard.
As reported by 9to5Mac, Google has announced, via an email to users, that it will be retiring Google+ Local on Aug. 7.
Launched in January 2011 as Google Places and rebranded as Google+ Local in July 2012, the app is a location-based restaurant and business search app akin to Yelp. But its continuation as such a service has apparently been deemed unnecessary by Google in light of the recent update to Google Maps for iOS.
Last week, Google Maps was updated with, most notably, native iPad support and a new Explore section.
As it turns out, the Google Maps app's new Explore section has all of the key features of Google+ Local, as listed by Google in its email announcement:
As a result, Google now recommends using the recently updated Google Maps in lieu of the soon-to-be-retired Google+ Local. After Aug. 7, Google+ Local will no longer be available and operable on iOS. But the good news is that all of your reviews and ratings will be carried over to Google Maps via your existing Google+ profile. Aside from Google+ Local, Google Latitude is also set to be terminated by Google. The location-sharing app is scheduled to be retired on Aug. 9, a couple of days after Google+ Local's demise. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]
- Search by categories of places, like “restaurants” or “coffee shops”
- Read place information, including written reviews, average price, address and Street View (where available)
- See what people in your Google+ circles have to say about their favorite places around the world
- Rate and review places you’ve been to
- Share places, locations and businesses you find
