Google Shutters Several Projects, Including Picasa for Linux

Ever since its inception, Google has been known for its "throwing spaghetti at the wall" approach to new product development. It throws spaghetti at the wall, and sees what sticks. The company consistently shuts down projects that it has started, and doesn't necessarily need to be criticized for the practice. It is apparently part of how Google retains a startup-like focus on new products. The company has announced its latest round of projects that will be shuttered, and the list includes Picasa for Linux.

In its "spring cleaning" post, Google says this about Picasa for Linux, which is a Linux version of the popular photo and image editing application:

"We launched a WINE-based version of Picasa for Linux in 2006 as a Google Labs project. As we continue to enhance Picasa, it has become difficult to maintain parity on the Linux version. So today, we’re deprecating Picasa for Linux and will not be maintaining it moving forward. Users who have downloaded and installed older versions of Picasa for Linux can continue to use them, though we won’t be making any further updates."

Related to the move, the Picasa Web Albums Uploader for Mac and Picasa Web Albums Plugin for iPhone will no longer be available for download. People can continue to use the uploader and plugin if they are installed.

"Focus is crucial if we are to improve our execution," says the Google post. You can review the complete list of shutdown projects here.