alt Hacker News> I wonder why Google UX always sucked so much
It depends on how you define "suck."
When Google first launched it's homepage, its emptiness (just a logo & search box) was a stark contrast to the portal pages popular, which were loaded with content.
Some thought the Google homepage "sucked" whereas other liked it. (I was in the latter.)
Likewise, the interface for Gmail. Or the interface for Google Maps. Or the interface for Chrome.
I remember when Google appeared and literally can't recall anyone who thought it sucked. There statistically have to be some people who hated it. But everyone I knew was either on dial-up or low bitrate leased line and it was impossible to dislike that design.