It's About Time that Google+ Started Going to Hell!

This morning Vic Gundotra, the head of Google+, has left the company. The reason behind his departure seems to be anyone's guess, though there are some really strong rumors that Google+ is about to get drop kicked in the head. According to TechCrunch, ". . . Google+ will no longer be considered a product, but a platform — essentially ending its competition with other social networks like Facebook and Twitter . . ." (Google+ Is Walking Dead).

This rumor has been denied by Google representatives. ". . . Today’s news has no impact on our Google+ strategy—we have an incredibly talented team that will continue to build great user experiences across Google+, Hangouts, and Photos . . ." (Google to end forced G+ integration, drastically cut division resources).

TechCrunch claims to have two anonymous sources within Google that have confirmed the following details in regard to upcoming changes with Google+:

• Between 1,000 and 1,200 employees will be moving from Google+ to other departments within the company.
• The Google Hangouts team will be integrating with the Android team
• The Google Photo team is likely to follow Hangouts to Android
• The teams from Google+ will be moving to building 'widgets' for the platform rather than improving Google+

 Here's the thing though, some of these moves don't make sense. In regards to the Hangout and Photo teams joining the Android team Ars Technica pointed out that, ". . . The strange part is that both of these teams create cross-platform products, so, if the report is true, there will be a group inside the Android team making iOS and Web apps, which doesn't seem like the best fit . . ." (Google to end forced G+ integration, drastically cut division resources).

While it could well be that TechCrunch has the inside track here; it's just as likely that they're listening to the sorts of rumors that run rampant through a company after a major shake up. The only way to know for sure will be to wait and see as a move of this level will have to be announced in short order. After all, you have to let all those android users know how much better their services are about to get . . .

[EDIT 4/25/2014]

The Chief Archetect of Google+, Yonatan Zunger, has come out and directly addressed the TechCrunch article.

Can't get much more direct than that.