Google Labs to stop experimenting

Google are to phase out their Google Labs development programs in favour of focussing on products and services already on the market, the search giant has revealed today.

Following the closure of Labs programs such as Google Health and Google PowerMeter, Google will either cease developing their Labs works-in-progress, or assimilate them into existing products.

“While we’ve learned a huge amount by launching very early prototypes in Labs, we believe that greater focus is crucial if we’re to make the most of the extraordinary opportunities ahead,” said Bill Coughran, SVP for Research and Systems Infrastructure at Google in a blog post.

“In many cases, this will mean ending Labs experiments – in others we’ll incorporate Labs products and technologies into different product areas.

“And many of the Labs products that are Android apps today will continue to be available on Android Market. We’ll update you on our progress via the Google Labs website.

“We’ll continue to push speed and innovation – the driving forces behind Google Labs – across all our products, as the early launch of the Google+ field trial last month showed.”

The news follows last weeks statement by CEO Larry Page, asking for “more wood behind fewer arrows”.

Many Labs projects came into being following Google employees famed 20% time, in which staff are allowed to work on their own personal projects. Google have confirmed that these work practices will not be affected.