“Oh, no, I love Jamboard,” stated a colleague when I shared the news with her. Who wouldn’t like the plucky whiteboard that was drop-dead easy to use? I immediately abandoned every other whiteboard solution I had used when I saw Jamboard. Even so, it was a slow to kindle relationship. I was still mourning the loss of Google Reader, Google Plus, well, you know.

So, I was a slow adopter of Google Jamboard. But when I finally jumped in, I found it to be an amazing product. I’ve relied on Jamboard for multiple workshops and presentations, and it has never failed me. Seeing this news reminded me of another favorite, Skitch, which got bought and then ripped up to worthlessness. Or Twitter (now, X).

In any case, with Jamboard, it was easy to add content from Google Slides, duplicate pages, share the space for people to edit.

Photo by Mark Rabe on Unsplash

Now, Google is bringing Jamboard to an abrupt end (October 1, 2024, view only rights with end of life December, 2024). Why, Google, why must you kill your darlings?

Starting October 1, 2024, you’ll no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iOS, and Android.

Between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, the app will be placed in “view-only” mode, during which time you will still be able to backup your Jam files.

On December 31, 2024, we will wind down the Jamboard application, meaning your users will no longer be able to access their Jam files and Jam files will be permanently deleted.

In the coming months, we’ll provide Jamboard app users and admins clear paths to retain their Jamboard data or migrate it to FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro within just a few clicks, well before the Jamboard app winds down in late 2024. (source)

The only tidbit that sparks some hope is how to migrate Jamboard data to FigJam, Lucidspark or Miro. I hope it’s worth something.

Jamboard simplicity

I gave Figjam, LucidSpark, and Miro a try. Oh my gosh, what lousy interface. Thinking of that teacher who was interested in working with online whiteboards, I wouldn’t recommend ANY of these. What is Google thinking to dump Jamboard?

FigJam has so many choices, options, and doodads, I’m reminded of Microsoft Office. Who in their right mind wants to burn through will power making that many decisions?

Figjam complexity

My only regret in this process? That I invested so much effort in incorporating Jamboard into my workshop resources. Now I have to go “gut” a few documents and workshops resources that feature class participation Jamboards.

Next time, I’ll just stick with Google Slides. Maybe they won’t discontinue that. 

Farewell, Jamboard. Thanks for all the fish.

Figjam, I have one word for you…SIMPLIFY.