Digg ready to take over from Google Reader from July 1, iOS App available for download and beta version being released to a select few

Image courtesy www.doodybrain.com

3 days is all that is left for Google Reader to die and already lot of princes are vying for the crown of being the most download Reader after Google Readers death.  Feedly for one has already brought about lot of changes to its UI and made it more and more user friendly and Google reader like.  I also have put up a feedly button for you to subscribe to.  The latest entrant in the field is the social networking giant Digg with its Reader.  The Digg.com/reader gives following message right now :

And the blog goes on to state that the first group of invites have been sent to the participants who had contributed towards its development.  Digg Reader has also been made available for iOS users.  For a change no separate download is required as Digg has bundled the Digg Reader with Digg iOS App.   From within the Reader App a user can “digg” the feed he/she likes while are reading which in turn will feature in the latest trending content diggs based on the "diggs" it has received.

Digg has promised to enhance the reader experience the users had with Google Reader to a completely new level.  The keyboard short cuts in Digg Reader are similar Google Reader for instance j and k to move between articles, s to save, d to Digg and v to view URL.  Depending on their preferences, users can view feeds in either List or Expanded View. They can also save their feeds to Instapaper, Pocket or Readability, or share articles to Twitter and Facebook. You also have full privacy authority over Digg Reader by choosing your profile to be either public or private.  

If you own a iOS device and are interested to checkout the latest offering from Digg, update your Digg App from Apple Store here.  Android users would have to wait 1 more day for the App, I suppose.  PC users can visit here to keep a track on announcements.  

Google has killed its Reader; try out Feedly the RSS reader

Image courtesy sbx.speakerboxpr.com

First of all R.I.P. Google Reader.  Goolge has killed Reader and it will go offline from 1.7.2013.  There are many diehard Reader addicts who started their day with the feeds brought to them by the Reader.  All is not lost for them.  As the saying goes one's loss is others gain.  Feedly is another reader which has a similar API to Reader and can be a good substitute for Reader.

The downfall of Google Reader has meant that you, the readers are left in dark without any suitable options for feed aggregator.  But help is underway from Feedly.  Feedly has already announced that it will clone the Google Reader API under its project Normandy.  It has also upgraded its bandwidth and added additional servers to take care of the rush of readers who have left Reader or are in the process of leaving it.  The only visible difference in the Feedly is that instead of the 'star' in Google Reader you have to press or tap 'save' in Feedly.  Plus you can share your feeds on Twitter, Facebook and email them as well.  If you are a Google Reader fanatic, you will be surprised by Feedly.  The interface is quite the opposite of Google Reader.  Where the Google Reader was simple and stark with just list of feeds and text, Feedly gives a much more responsive visual.  It updates your RSS feeds on the go and as of now has a sync button with Google Reader.  The UI has bright and vibrant colours, feeds in sans serif, images and layout like a magazine.  If you want to change the theme, the font or the colour, Feedly lets you do it.

Staring with Feedly is very easy.  You just have to log in using your Google account.  If you are a existing Google Reader subscriber, all you Feeds, folders, subscriptions 'starred' posts will automatically be imported.  If you are not a Reader user, you will have to subscribe to the post using  Explore panel on the right side.  You can either enter the website directly into the search window or browse through the vast collection of sites based on categories.  Once you have found out what you want to subscribe to you just have to hit the  "+" button and enter the category for it.

All said and done, Feedly is a good and suitable heir to the Google Reader throne.  It is available for your desktops, Android devices and iOS devices.  

Get your desktop version for Chrome here.  Android users get your version from Google Play here and iOS users get your Apple Store version here.

Please add my site feed to your Feedly so you can receive updates on the go.  My feed address is http://feeds.feedburner.com/ALittleSomethingAboutAlmostEverything/

Vijay Prabhu