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Google Labs: Frequently Asked Questions
 
  1. What is Google Labs?
  2. Who builds these things, anyway?
  3. What does "limited test" mean?
  4. What will happen to these experiments over time?
  5. Why in the world did Google decide to do this?
  6. What happened to that cool thing I was playing around with last week?
  7. I know how to make one of the experiments really useful. Whom do I contact?
  1. What is Google Labs?

    2. Google Labs is a playground where our more adventurous users can play around with prototypes of some of our wild and crazy ideas and offer feedback directly to the engineers who developed them on which ones are interesting and which ones are just crazy, and why, and how you think they might be improved. Please note that Labs is the first phase in a lengthy product development process; none of this stuff is guaranteed to make it onto Google.com, and you should always remember to wear your safety goggles while using this site.

  2. Who builds these things, anyway?

    3. Google engineers and researchers do. Because many of these projects are supported only in their spare time, we ask for your indulgence if a demo refuses to run, or even walk quickly.

  3. What does "limited test" mean?

    4. Some Google Labs prototypes can handle only a limited number of users in their initial stages. When we know that's the case, we do our best to let you know too, by putting "limited test" next to its name, along with some screenshots and/or more information about the product for those of you who weren't able to get there in time to actually try it out.

  4. What will happen to these experiments over time?

    5. That depends in part on you. Our users' comments and feedback can elevate a project to consideration for integration into Google.com - or cause it to disappear and never be spoken of again.

  5. Why in the world did Google decide to do this?

    6. Google engineers and researchers are always looking for a way to show off their pet projects, and Google Labs seemed like a great way for them to get feedback without forcing every new feature on all of our users. So, please send them a note and let them know what you think of how they've been spending their time - and be frank. It doesn't help anyone if a bad idea is encouraged to spread like a noxious weed.

  6. What happened to that cool thing I was playing around with last week?

    7. The prototypes on Google Labs are meant to be low-maintenance experiments. If one disappears it may be because no one was interested enough to use it, or because it wasn't stable enough for users to try it out, or because it was so wildly successful that heavy usage brought the server to its knees. Don't worry - while that particular application may not reappear, there will be something just as interesting to replace it shortly.

  7. I know how to make one of the experiments really useful. Whom do I contact?

    8. If you have something to say about a Google Labs product, we can't encourage you strongly enough to email us your ideas, comments, suggestions and tales of woe, or post them on the discussion group for the particular demo you're referencing. The contact mailing addresses and discussion group for each prototype are linked from the Google Labs homepage. Your feedback on these prototypes is an essential part of the development process and is greatly appreciated.

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