Google Shuts Down Google Wallpapers

Google has shut down (via takedown notice) a website, Google Wallpapers, that allowed users to very easily create saveable images of Google Maps. Google's next move is to sue the makers of the "Print Screen" key, which does the same damn thing with extra steps. But seriously (yes, that last part was a non-serious humorous statement), Google did send this to the guys behind Perhaps I'm not understanding what this website did. How did it encourage "non-personal use"? Seems to me it has very few applications except posting images of your house from space online and printing out those images, both of which serve little purposes except to (1) promote Google Maps and (2) annoy your coworkers. As The O'Reilly blog has a fun fact: everyone involved, from the man who wrote the letter (Bret Taylor) to the guys behind Google Wallpapers will be at the upcoming Where 2.0 conference. Showdown? Nah, not likely. (via Reader Comments... InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines. Visit the