Google recently announced that Jamboard will be shut down by the end of 2024. Don't worry, in this article, I'm going to outline everything you need to know, including the timeline for the shutdown, how to export your existing jams, as well as some Jamboard alternatives you can use moving forward.
What You Should Know about Google Jamboard Shutting Down
According to Google, its Jamboard will no longer be available after December 31, 2024 across Web, iOS, Android, and Google Meet devices. Jamboard is a digital whiteboard service from Google. It became very popular within the education space during the pandemic when so many educators had to switch to a virtual environment.
Timeline for the Jamboard Shutdown
What is happening to Google Jamboard and when? From now until October 1st, 2024, Jamboard will continue to function normally. That means you can continue to open and edit existing jams as well as create new ones through Google Jamboard until October 1st, 2024. But here's where you need to pay attention:
October 1st, 2024: Google Jamboard will become view-only. This means you can still open and view existing jams, but you will not be able to edit them. You also will not be able to create new jams at that time.
December 31st, 2024: Jamboard will no longer be accessible. At this point, you can no longer open or view existing jams, and you already were not able to edit or create new ones since October 1st.
How to Export Your Existing Jamboard File
If a little bit of panic has set in, take a deep breath. You may be wondering, "What do I need to do with my Jamboard files in my Google Drive?" Let's talk about how to export your existing jams. If you want to export your Google Jamboard files, you have two options:
1. Export as an Image (PNG)
2. Export as a PDF
The good news is Google has stated that they will automatically export any existing jams into PDF files that will be stored in your Google Drive before the shutdown date. So even if you don't do anything, your jams are not going to disappear completely. They will be converted to PDF files and stored in your Google Drive.
Steps to Manual Export Jam File:
If you want to get a head start on that process, here are two different ways you can export your existing jams.
1. Single Jamboard File Export
- Open the file.
- Click the "More actions" button (three dots) in the top right corner.
- Choose either "Download as PDF" or "Save frame as image."
2. Bulk Export
- Go to your Google Drive.
- In the search box, type `type: jam` (no spaces) and hit enter. This will bring up all the Jamboard files within your Google Drive.
- Select the jams (use Ctrl+A on a PC or Command+A on a Mac to select them all, or click and drag with your mouse to highlight them).
- Right-click on the selected files and click "Download." This will export all of them to PDFs.
What are Jamboard Alternatives
Now that we have covered the timeline for the shutdown as well as the steps for exporting your existing jams, let's look into the future. Here are Jamboard alternatives you can use moving forward and switch to.
1. Boardmix
- Availability: Free plan available, lifetime plan, and paid subscriptions
- Features: Infinite canvas, real-time collaboration, management tools, diagramming, mind mapping, flowcharts, slide presentation, sticky notes, templates, voting, timers, stamps, and more.
- Integration: ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meeting
2. Lucidspark
- Availability: Free for K-12 users, schools, and districts.
- Features: Templates, locking, limitless canvas, hyperlinking, commenting, and more.
- Integration: Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
3. Miro
- Availability: Free educational plan for up to 100 users.
- Features: Templates, session management tools, diagramming, and more.
- Integration: Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
4. FigJam
Availability: Free for educational institutions.
Features: Templates, voting, diagramming tools, timers, stamps, stickers, and more.
Integration: Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.
5. Microsoft Whiteboard
- Availability: Free with Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
- Features: Infinite canvas, real-time collaboration, sticky notes, templates, and more.
- Integration: Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and Office 365 apps.
6. Mural
- Availability: Free plan available, with additional features in paid plans.
- Features: Templates, real-time collaboration, visual thinking tools, sticky notes, and more.
- Integration: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Drive, and more.
In addition to the primary Jamboard alternatives, there are several other options worth considering. Built-in whiteboards within video conferencing software such as Google Meet, Microsoft Whiteboard, and Zoom Whiteboard provide basic whiteboarding functionalities, ideal for quick, collaborative tasks during virtual meetings. Google Drawings and Google Slides also offer simple virtual whiteboard capabilities with editing features, making them suitable for straightforward collaborative work.
Among these alternatives, Boardmix comes with its comprehensive feature set, including an infinite canvas, real-time collaboration, mind mapping, flowcharts, and more, while also offering a cost-effective pricing structure. This makes it a particularly attractive choice for those seeking a versatile and budget-friendly whiteboarding solution.
Why Boardmix is the Best Jamboard Alternatives
While Google Jamboard offers a solid suite of features, Boardmix emerges as a superior alternative in several aspects.
Enhanced Features Empowering Education
Jamboard offers a basic canvas that accommodates text, images, a pen tool, and sticky notes. In contrast, Boardmix provides a more powerful suite of features, making the teaching process more convenient and enriching. Text formatting options are robust, allowing for diverse shapes, tables, document cards, and various formats to enhance your teaching materials. Additionally, Boardmix includes ready-made LaTeX formulas and educational symbols. Most importantly, Boardmix integrates AI capabilities, enabling you to explore new ideas and translate languages effortlessly. With Boardmix, you'll find that teaching becomes simpler and more engaging.
Real-time Collaboration
Although Jamboard supports real-time collaboration, Boardmix extends this functionality with more advanced features. For instance, it allows live co-editing and simultaneous multi-user access from different devices. It also provides an “integrated meeting" feature that lets you conduct meetings at one place.
More Extensive Customization Options
Boardmix outshines Jamboard in terms of customization options. With Boardmix, you can customize your digital workspace according to your needs. You can adjust the board's size and background, create custom templates, and use a variety of tools like sticky notes, shapes, and lines in multiple colors and sizes.
Enhanced File Support and Unlimited Storage
While Jamboard supports basic file types like images and PDFs, Boardmix takes it up a notch by supporting a broader range of file types, including documents, spreadsheets, videos, and more. Plus, it offers unlimited storage—enabling you to archive all your files and boards without worry.
How to import Jamboard file into Boardmix?
It’s easy to import your Jamboard files into the unlimited canvas of Boardmix.
Step 1. Export Your Jamboard File
- Open the file.
- Click the "More actions" button (three dots) in the top right corner.
- Choose either "Download as PDF" or "Save frame as image."
Step 2. Import Your Jamboard File into Boardmix
- Log into Boardmix account
- Start a new board.
- Click upload file or drag your files into the canvas.
Jamboard has brought convenience to remote collaboration and educators during the epidemic, but now with more advanced integration features and customization options, Boardmix may be an ideal Jamboard alternative in this regard. Export Jamboard files as PDF or image files, you can easily import them into Boardmix, and you can also annotate PDF files, which will make the transition from Jamboard to other online whiteboards easy and smooth.
Conclusion
If you're sad that Jamboard is going away, you are not alone. But that's what happens as technology evolves. Rather than dwelling on it, we have to just embrace the changes. The good news is the Jamboard alternatives like Boardmix, lucidspark, and Miro have far more capabilities and tools than Google Jamboard ever had, so it should be a big improvement once you adjust to the change.
