Google has been revamping a lot of its products lately. We recently covered Google Finance’s new look and features here. But Google seems determined to stay in the news. From removing the beta tag from all its products, to challenging Microsoft’s OS supremacy with Chrome OS, Google seems to be on a roll. And now, they’ve revamped Google Reader. Google Reader is one of the most popular FeedReaders available today. Most people prefer to subscribe to RSS Feeds and Google Reader allows them to subscribe to their favourite sites. Google Reader has just added a few new features. This might a little in sync with Google recognising the importance of social networking. Recently, they added Orkut to their existing Google FriendConnect, and now have added Follow and Like Features to Google Reader. The following are the major changes
- Like
- Follow
- Share (with specific user groups option)
Like is a universal feature (which basically means, if you like something, it’s made public – much like a digg). As of now, content providers know how many people view their feeds. Using Google Reader, they’ll also know how many people like what they read. Earlier, one could share an item with a comment. The like is an additional bookmarking tool. Is Google Reader attempting to do on feeds with Digg and Delicious did on sites? One can only wonder.
Follow is the new craze. Twitter probably changed the ball game, and Facebook hopped on to it, and now it’s Reader’s turn. Earlier you could share stories you liked (with or without comment) and your friends (who followed you) could view it. Now you can choose to follow any individual and view what ever he/she has shared. To see whom to follow, you need to search for them (unless they are already in your gmail list). You can search for anyone who has their Google Profile enabled as public. A quick peek at Google Profile seems to only attest to Google’s fixation with networking. (Using profile can get your profile on the results if people search for you by name, it also allows you to share information, pictures etc. with others). Though I have not created a profile for myself, a quick look at the features will tell you that your profile on Google resembles any other profile on any other networking site. The benefit then? Search Engine Optimisation.
One can also create user groups to share certain stories with certain groups (Tech news with work people, Jokes with friends etc).
What’s Good about the new features :
Taking Google Reader to the Social Platform. Already an integral tool how people read off the web, with millions subscribing to their favourite sites, the Like and Follow features will only improve. Unlike most other follow options, Reader is obviously less prone to unwanted content. Articles you wish to view are completely on a need-to-know basis.
What next?
Comment on the article using Google Reader itself? A search-as-you-go feature? Integrate tweets on the current article you’re reading with a twitter app? One can only wonder.
