Google has warned users of its Google Video service that their content will be obliterated after May 13, as the company formally shifts its multimedia focus to YouTube. Google has warned users of its Google Video service that their content will be obliterated after May 13, as the company formally shifts its multimedia focus to YouTube.The Google Video service hasn’t allowed video uploads since May of 2009 and content on the video sharing service will be unavailable for playback as of April 29, according to a letter sent to users. However, users can download their content now and keep it on their own machines or transfer it to YouTube (though the YouTube transfer is not automatic)An estimated 2.8 million videos are hosted on Google Video, according to one blog. REST IN PEACE: Pay respects to others in the 2011 tech industry graveyard Google launched the service in January 2005, but not long after Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006 the company began transitioning Google Video into a broad video search engine. And in its letter to Google Video users about the elimination of their content, Google said “We’ve always maintained that the strength of Google Video is its ability to let people search videos from across the web, regardless of where those videos are hosted. And this move will enable us to focus on developing these technologies further to the benefit of searchers worldwide.” VIDEO PLAYBACK: Videos we all love to hate on YouTube A petition is circulating online by some die-hards who are pushing Google to preserve their Google Video content. Others lamenting the demise of Google Video include the Independent Film Channel, which offers its guide to films to watch on the service before it goes away. Meanwhile, Google continues to evolve YouTube through internal efforts and buyouts. YouTube last month bought a company called Next New Networks in an effort to offer video content producers more advanced tools and earlier this year partnered with LG Electronics to make it easier for users to capture 3D images and video on their mobile phones and transfer it to the Internet. Bob Brown’s tweets live on at TwitterRead more about lans and routers in Network World’s LANs & Routers section. Related content news UK government plans 2,500 new tech recruits by 2025 with focus on cybersecurity New apprenticeships and talent programmes will support recruitment for in-demand roles such as cybersecurity technologists and software developers By Michael Hill Sep 29, 2023 4 mins Education Industry Education Industry Education Industry news UK data regulator orders end to spreadsheet FOI requests after serious data breaches The Information Commissioner’s Office says alternative approaches should be used to publish freedom of information data to mitigate risks to personal information By Michael Hill Sep 29, 2023 3 mins Government Cybercrime Data and Information Security feature Cybersecurity startups to watch for in 2023 These startups are jumping in where most established security vendors have yet to go. By CSO Staff Sep 29, 2023 19 mins CSO and CISO Security news analysis Companies are already feeling the pressure from upcoming US SEC cyber rules New Securities and Exchange Commission cyber incident reporting rules don't kick in until December, but experts say they highlight the need for greater collaboration between CISOs and the C-suite By Cynthia Brumfield Sep 28, 2023 6 mins Regulation Data Breach Financial Services Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe