Showing posts with label Google Reader. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google Reader. Show all posts

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Digg to Create an Improved Google Reader Replacement

Hey Guys,

In hearing Google’s latest decision to drop the Google Reader, Digg has announced their efforts to replace it with another RSS reader of their own. In a recent outline released by Digg, they hint at what their new feed reader design goals will be. According to Digg there are four “key points” behind the basis of the
design: 
I created this picture with the Digg and RSS logo's
All myself!!
  1. Keep it simple, stupid
  2. Make it fast (like, really fast)
  3. Synchronize across devices
  4. Make it easy to import from existing Google Reader accounts
Although I'm guessing that most RSS readers aim to be that way.

Digg says that Google Reader had room for meaningful improvement, despite doing a lot of things right. Its goal is to create a “clean and flexible” service which ”bends easily and intuitively to the needs of different users.”

Apparently, social services like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Hacker News will also be linked in to the reader platform. Which were not given any attention during Google Reader’s lifetime.

They say that they "don’t expect this to be a trivial undertaking. But we’re confident we can cook up a worthy successor." They also say that "In order to pull this off in such a small window, we’re going to need your help. We need your input on what you want to see in a reader. What problems should it solve for you? What’s useful? What isn’t? What do you wish it could do that it can’t today?"

To send them or input or if you would just like to know the latest news about it click here!! Or if you would like to see the original Digg Blog post click here!!

What do you think is necessary in an RSS reader? Already found an alternative? Please share you thoughts in the comments section below!!

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Alternatives to Google Reader



Google has announced the closure of Google Reader and we need to find an alternative to read RSS feeds. After my research, I have narrowed down the top 3!!

Feedly!

Feedly is an RSS Reader for the Google Chrome browser, as well as, iOS and Android platforms. 
Much like Google Reader, Feedly allows you to sort your feeds, use keyboard shortcuts and share stories to friends via Facebook and Twitter. This also has an auto "mark as read" feature. Below will be a first look at Feedly in the form as a video. Carry on reading for more alternatives.


Pulse is a picture based reader where the first thing you see is a picture from the post and a title. When reviewing it didnt work and you were unable to change the layout and I couldnt import my Google Reader data. Carry on reading to see the last alternative.







The Old Reader is designed to look like the old Google Reader, this is perfect if you prefer the retro over the modern look. The only problem is, it doesn't yet have a mobile app, but they are working on it. Another major flaw is that since the announcement of Google Reader shutting down it no longer works properly, so my review of The Old Reader is actually a tutorial of how to export subscriptions on Google Reader found here.


Goodbye Google Reader :'(

I apologise for this blog being dormant over the past few weeks, I have been overloaded with school work.
But now it is the holidays, I can get on with posting here!!

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Hey Guys,

A sad moment on the interweb has happened, Google has announced the retirement of Google Reader and many other applications. But more importantly, the retirement of Google Reader.

I and many others will be sad to see it go. I use Google Reader almost constantly, it's where I get my technology news to talk to you about. Luckily, all hope is not lost as they are giving 3 months, until the 1st of July to find a new RSS reader. Google will let you export you feeds via Google Takeout so you can import them into an alternative reader. Click here to view alternatives to Google Reader.

Google will also be saying goodbye to:

  • GUI Builder and five UiApp widgets, the GUI builder will be available until September
  • CalDAV API, except this will be whitelisted
  • Google Building Maker, also known as, Google Sketchup. Which is perfect for creating 3D models of houses
  • Google Cloud Connect, which is a plugin that automatically backs up Microsoft Office files. Seeming a bit useless with the existence of Google Drive
  • The Google Voice App for Blackberry
  • Snapseed Desktop, but the iOS and Android Apps will still be avaliable

Many of these applications have been completely unused by me, but nevertheless, people will be missing them. Google state that "These changes are never easy. But by focusing our efforts, we can concentrate on building great products that really help in their lives.And I agree!

For more information, visit the Google Blog to more information on this matter.

For help on exporting your subscriptions view the video below!