Google is changing the deal for these people, though, and telling them they need to start paying or they'll lose their account.
Google notes that customers can use Google Takeout to export some data, but if you don't want to pay, rebuilding an account under a consumer Google account is a lot of work. These were mostly fully functional Google accounts, and there's no way to export things like content purchases for books, movies, music, and apps. You'll also probably lose your Google Voice number. If you used your G Suite account like this, you don't have many choices other than to start paying.
Maybe, but this is more of a move indicative of they've killed off enough alternatives and got people hooked into their services that it would more costly for them to move to something else than to start paying. Especially for businesses. Unless something is just 10x better or what is being used is absolute dogshit it can be hard to get businesses to move. Especially smaller businesses.
Not too long ago they hiked the price of the Maps API for developers up so much some reported they were being charged 22x as much for the same services.
Alternative is a self hosted Nextcloud + Collabora Online. Is a good solution. Otherwise, if you already have Office 365 for the MS Office apps, then the cloud and collaboration stuff is already included.
I presume this is the one that's offered for private domains. I used that years ago for my domain. It was free then, but I went away from it at one point as I've been de-googling for years now. It was a total pain in the ass, despite the fact that at the time I wasn't really even actively using the domain or my company to even do any business. Since I expect this is mainly a business thing used by "real" businesses, they will just end up paying because they can't afford to take the time to re-do it all.
Back in the day I set some clients up with it because I was a new freelancer and didn't have the infrastructure or contacts to a relay with a positive reputation to say "sure, I can host your email." And everyone was like "Cool, this looks just like gmail!" since, back then, web email clients were barely operable.
This is why you never store payment information. I hope they get ass raped by the credit card companies when this shit is reported as fraud.
Visa might. We already know Mastercard won't, they're on the same evil side.
No they won't. That's Mastercards money that they're stealing, not the card holders'.
There are services where you can generate one-time prepaid virtual cards. My own bank allowed you to do this.
Fucking LOL.
These 5 user accounts are costing Google practically nothing. It's not like they offer any kind of support.
To be fair, though, they barely offer support on paid products, either.
I was under the impression that Google Music has been dead for some time…
Around the same time as Goggle+.
Only real problem is, Android phones…
What the fuck happens to all the Droid users, now..? Seriously??!
Don't be evil.
This is actually encouraging - they must be desperate for cash to do this.
Maybe, but this is more of a move indicative of they've killed off enough alternatives and got people hooked into their services that it would more costly for them to move to something else than to start paying. Especially for businesses. Unless something is just 10x better or what is being used is absolute dogshit it can be hard to get businesses to move. Especially smaller businesses.
I can't wait for "Subscribe to Google Maps, get 100 routes per month for only $3.99!"
Not too long ago they hiked the price of the Maps API for developers up so much some reported they were being charged 22x as much for the same services.
Death of the Internet when..?
This shit is fucking depressing, when you consider what we had, even fucking five-six years ago…
How to bring people into Microsofts hands 101 (Office 365)
I already got the email "Import your Google stuff to Office 365"...
Alternative is a self hosted Nextcloud + Collabora Online. Is a good solution. Otherwise, if you already have Office 365 for the MS Office apps, then the cloud and collaboration stuff is already included.
I hate software subscription services.
If you're paying, might as well pay for the best option.
I presume this is the one that's offered for private domains. I used that years ago for my domain. It was free then, but I went away from it at one point as I've been de-googling for years now. It was a total pain in the ass, despite the fact that at the time I wasn't really even actively using the domain or my company to even do any business. Since I expect this is mainly a business thing used by "real" businesses, they will just end up paying because they can't afford to take the time to re-do it all.
Back in the day I set some clients up with it because I was a new freelancer and didn't have the infrastructure or contacts to a relay with a positive reputation to say "sure, I can host your email." And everyone was like "Cool, this looks just like gmail!" since, back then, web email clients were barely operable.
Oh fuck this…
More inevitable, evil bullshit.
Fuck these cunts.
No wonder “Don’t be evil” was killed off…
Bye bye Gmail and my Drive, then. 🤷🏻♂️
Thank Christ for that, honestly. 🙄
Is your Gmail on your business domain?