I agree that some talk at the time was overblown, most of it even.
That said, it was a braindead idea to begin with. Not one person in existence wants or expects shopping links when searching their computer via a dock like interface. This is meant for applications or files.
When shopping, most are going to research on Google...or perhaps search a category on Amazon itself before choosing a product.
I'd be curious it Ubuntu even made a single sale from that venture.
Agree that is was not a great idea, or one that anyone asked for.
I saw it as a way for Canonical to start bringing end-user-oriented features to the Linux desktop, something that Linux sorely needed circa 00s and early 10s. They also had the forethought to bring web apps to the desktop before most major players did.
It was all part of their 'continutity' push at the time: desktop and phone in one cohesive interface. Too early for its time, but its clearly working for Apple.
That said, it was a braindead idea to begin with. Not one person in existence wants or expects shopping links when searching their computer via a dock like interface. This is meant for applications or files.
When shopping, most are going to research on Google...or perhaps search a category on Amazon itself before choosing a product.
I'd be curious it Ubuntu even made a single sale from that venture.