No, they created Google Now which overlapped with this product. Google is constantly starting new projects and ending ones that either conflict with new ones or become obsolete.
Except that Google Now is not for desktops or a 'start page' (at least not yet), and perhaps more importantly, is not accessible or extensible by developers, or customizable by users.
I do think you have something there about desktop use. What's important here is that Google adapted to the migration of users to mobile devices. Just like desktop PCs are in decline, so are apps that are desktop-only.