Farewell, Internet
Well, here we are. More than four years after launching, Switched and DownloadSquad are unfortunately being closed. I've been thrilled to work at these two sites that have expanded tech coverage beyond the usual gadgets and social networks to cooking, culture, design, art and more. It's been humbling to work with these incredibly dedicated and talented teams of writers, and it would have been impossible to do it without them.
Going forward, you'll still be able to get the best tech news coverage from Engadget, HuffingtonPost Tech, Joystiq and TUAW. While we're still working out some of the details, Switched and DownloadSquad will continue to live on the Web and be fully accessible via search. Understandably, our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr presences will quiet down, but you can still follow the Switched and DownloadSquad writers on their personal accounts. Thanks for reading.
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Comments
353
Subscribe to commentsDazApr 12th 2011 12:06PM
You're around twelve days too late if this is a perverted April Fools joke. :/
Sebastian AnthonyApr 12th 2011 12:13PM
@Daz It's no fool, sadly. It's true.
Here's the farewell from the writers.
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It is with heavy hearts that we must announce that Download Squad, as a group of passionate and honest software bloggers, is no more. The archive, we hope, will live on. The bloggers, too, will live on -- but elsewhere, beyond the lime-green walls of this software blog.
We'd like to thank you all for reading our blog, commenting, and sending in tips. In the past six years, we've toiled through a complete redefinition of 'software', and lived to tell the tale. When we first launched, Windows Vista had not yet been released, and the iPhone was but a glimmer in Jobs' eye. Six years ago, when we first launched, the word 'apps' didn't even exist.
We're sad to see Download Squad go. In a world where everything is quickly becoming computerized, software has never had a more important role. With the ubiquitous smartphone, software is alw ... More
Steven FinchApr 13th 2011 4:30AM
@Daz Shame. I really wish this was an April fools joke.
If your looking for more tech coverage then head over to Crenk.com. Additionally, any of the Download Squad or Switched writers get in touch for writing opportunities.
hazardApr 12th 2011 11:54PM
pants .. been following downloadsquad since the beginning - prob back aorund 2005 sometime.
Any reason for it's demise?
Sebastian AnthonyApr 13th 2011 6:33AM
@Daz As always, our comment system is fighting against me!
Thank you to everyone who has replied. Be sure to follow the individual writers on Twitter -- it sounds like we will all land on our feet! In true Internet style, it looks like things will happen very quickly, too.
Here's our 'farewell letter' again, in full (and I uploaded it to Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/BnSpNuU2)
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It is with heavy hearts that we must announce that Download Squad, as a group of passionate and honest software bloggers, is no more. The archive, we hope, will live on. The bloggers, too, will live on -- but elsewhere, beyond the lime-green walls of this software blog.
We'd like to thank you all for reading our blog, commenting, and sending in tips. In the past six years, we've toiled through a complete redefinition of 'software', and lived to tell the tale. When we first launched, Windows Vista had not yet been released, and the iPhone was but a glimmer in Jobs' eye. Six years ago, when we first launched, the word 'apps' didn't even exist.
We're sad to see Download Squad go. In a world where everything is quickly becoming computerized, software has never had a more important role. With the ubiquitous smartphone, software is always there, always on, and always ready to do our bidding. If there has ever been a time when the world needs a software blog like Download Squad, it's now.
With our warmest regards,
Lee, Jay, Samuel, Vlad, Erez, and Sebastian
Ezra MooreApr 12th 2011 12:08PM
What a sad day! I've always enjoyed reading this blog. It's hard to forgive AOL for taking so many good blogs down.
Best of luck,
Ezra
jakethatApr 12th 2011 1:05PM
@Ezra Moore
What? Why's AOL shutting down blogs?? Not this one, please??
Ezra BrooksApr 22nd 2011 1:38PM
@Ezra Moore we have the same name.
And also I've always hated AOL.. They make bad decisions. Like this.
NoahApr 12th 2011 12:08PM
Sucks. This is one of the few blogs I read on a "daily" basis. I've discovered SO many useful websites and tricks from this site over the past few years... Good to luck to you guys, it's been an honor.
TuxImpersonatorApr 12th 2011 1:55PM
@Noah Seconded, DLS will be missed
winecurmudgeonApr 12th 2011 2:17PM
@Noah
I agree. DLS is that much better than almost everyone else. But, given AOL's genius track record with business decisions, that's probably what hurt them. AOL wants mediocrity that it doesn't have to pay for.
Jason H.Apr 12th 2011 4:27PM
@Noah Agreed. I check(ed) out DLS every single day. What a bummer.
JesseApr 15th 2011 8:49PM
@Noah
Been following them since then too
ChuckApr 12th 2011 12:09PM
Guys, April Fools Day was about a week ago, stop joking around please. :)
Thanks for having this blog up. I didn't comment much, but it was a very good way to keep up with the news. I'll miss this, again thanks.
jdlygaApr 12th 2011 12:11PM
Aw, I love downloadsquad. There's not really any sites that cover good new windows programs anymore. It's all about smartphones and tablets these days.
Samuel GibbsApr 12th 2011 12:11PM
So long and thanks for all the fish.
JeffApr 12th 2011 12:35PM
WTF? Easily two of my favorite blogs... and the two I visit the most for certain. I believe that does it for me for AOL properties (already removed TechCrunch etc... from my feeds).
Reading DownloadSquad (and Switched) have been wonderful, and I'm very sorry to see both go. I wish the best for all of the staff of both, and will continue to follow on their personal blogs.
SleepingPandaApr 12th 2011 12:14PM
Please tell me this is a late April Fool's joke.. What'll I do without my daily DLS?! :(
Oskar (:icecold)Apr 12th 2011 12:13PM
You've got to be shitting me.
Ashutosh MishraApr 12th 2011 12:13PM
We will really miss your posts. :[