NewTeeVee reports that Google has stepped away from the video retail business and closed down its paid video download and rental service.
Google Video went through many revisions before taking the state it has today - a video search engine - at one point offering TV screen caps, at another trying to match YouTube feature for feature, and now fading away as a destination now that YouTube is owned by Google. Interestingly, the ability to make purchases through Google Video actually preceded the company's launch of its payment service, Google Checkout.
I've been tracking the Google Video RSS feed of items for sale since about the time we started NewTeeVee, and literally the only thing that comes across is episodes of the Charlie Rose Show. I don't think the payment option was a very heavily used (or promoted) service.
On the other hand, it's not like iTunes is stepping up to help independent video producers sell their wares, so it's somewhat disappointing to see this go away.
They really didn't do much in the way of online video sales so they are probably smart to close shop. Apple is probably a little relieved to see Google can the service.
