Google Shutting Down Reader This Summer
If you use Google Reader subscriptions for apps such as Flipboard or Reeder on your iOS device, you may want to look for a new way to catch up on news. Unfortunately, as part of its “spring cleaning” effort, Google announced today that it is shutting down the Google Reader RSS feeder.
In Google’s blog post about its products being shut down this summer, Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure Urs Hölzle, today said,
While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives can export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout over the course of the next four months.
This is a bummer for those of us who use Google Reader to catch up on the news we missed earlier in the day. I, for one, use Google Reader daily to catch up on technology news that I missed during the day while I was at school.
For people that want to continue to keep up with their subscriptions to RSS feeds, you have until July 1 to export all information through Takeout, as pointed out by Hölzle.
In addition to the closure of Reader, Google also announced that it will be ending the following programs: GUI Builder and five UiApp widgets for AppsScript, CalDAV API for non-whitelisted developers, Google Building Maker, Google Cloud Connect, Google Voice App For Blackberry, Search API for Shopping, and Snapseed Desktop for Mac and Windows
Are any of you upset about this news like me? Will you export your data through Takeout and continue to use apps such as Flipboard and Reeder, or will you find another way to access news? Is there another Google program shutting down that you are upset about? Leave a comment and let us know!