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I suspect the parent is talking about the Google Reader shutdown and the flack they've been taking from the tech press.

Yes, but it wasn't just about Google Reader. A number of things happened (or hit the news) in a short period of time, all of which damaged Google's standing as the "Don't Be Evil Company" and hurt their credibility with hackers and people who care about things like the Open Web and Open Standards.

I'm not necessarily saying the backlash was (or wasn't) justified, but it was what it was, and I think this step by Google is a good thing in terms of earning them a bit more trust with that crowd. Whether that's something that actively care about, is anybody's guess.

As PR beatings go that one was pretty contained (mainly to the HN frontpage).

Agreed, but we're a different audience. As technical people, it is in Google's best interest to look "good" to us so we continue to use and develop things for their platforms. At least that's how I see it.

I didn't get that impression, at least for me it seemed to be all over Facebook and (oh, rich) Google News.

What are the "number of things"? As much as people are complaining about Reader, I don't see that as bad PR. I assumed it was something other than the Reader fallout.

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