Google Reader New Design and More Features
Google Reader is updated for a new user interface and some added features. In my previous review, I said that Google Reader is not ready yet. I take back the word now. :)
Google Reader in Expanded view
Table of Contents
First impression
First of all, I am glad to see that Google removed the “fat finger-like pointer” from the previous design. The Google Reader looks clean and neat. A list of keyboard shortcuts is available for keyboard shortcut lovers.
Previous Google Reader
What’s New?
Google Reader Blog writes, “First, we’ve added some things you’ve been asking for, such as unread counts and “mark all as read.” Folder-based navigation makes it easier to organize your subscriptions, and the new expanded view lets you quickly scan over several items at once. And we’ve made sharing much easier – with a single click of the “shared” icon, you can publish an interesting item on your public sharing page for your friends to see.”
Expanded View VS. List View
Personally, I prefer the “List view” over the new expanded view. The “List view” is similar to Gmail email list. I can read only the entries that interested me. The new expanded view takes a longer time to load, especially if the feed is a full-text feed. (well, I have a slow Internet connection :( )
Google Reader List View
Google Reader feed entry icons
There are a few small buttons at the bottom of each feed entry, where you can mark entries as “starred”, share, and tag entry.
Tagging is a new idea for feed aggregators. It is useful to organize feed entries. I guess other feed aggregators will soon add the feature too.
The “Share” icon allows you to share interesting feed entries with friends and family. Shared entries will be listed on your unique Google Reader Shared Items page, here is mine.
Bloglines is updated, too
About the same time, Bloglines also got revised. Beside speed improvement, the left sidebar can be hidden now. Performance wise, Bloglines is still the winner.
Off-Topic: Google Talk open for anyone
On the other hand, Google has made Google Talk(previous my review) registration open to everyone, no longer limited to Gmail users.
I was using Google Reader few months ago, yes, hate that finger navigator too. Now I’m on bloglines, the left bar can be hidden long ago, as I thought.
@gazard: thanks, i didn’t know that. I did not use bloglines or any other web based feed reader since I became full-time blogger. :)