Since Google announced the demise of my beloved Google Reader, I’ve been testing out a few alternatives and still have been left unhappy and unfulfilled. Do you remember my post There’s a New Sheriff In Town where I talk about Bloglovin’ as one of my alternatives? Although I do like Bloglovin’, it still has not filled the hole Google Reader has left me with.
Let me explain, let’s take a brief look at Bloglovin‘. Here’s a screenshot from my account. It appears to be very pretty and magazine like, and have I mentioned, Bloglovin’ has made upgrades since a few months ago when Google’s announcement came out.
What I don’t like about Bloglovin’?
- The mobile app is lacking. Once you click on the link in the app, don’t expect to go back to the app and have the blog post there.
- No easy sharing to other apps while in Bloglovin’ app.
- No easy access to adding a new feed to it. You must go back to Bloglovin’ and manually insert the feed. (pain in the bum)
Although I currently am still using Bloglovin’ on web and my mobile, I’ve found it necessary to also use another.
Introducing Feedly
I tried Feedly in the very beginning and was unhappy with it too. Let me be honest, Google Reader was my ultimate love so I’ve still trying to heal from that pain. I’ve added Feedly to my mobile and like some of its options. I’m also using it as a web reader.
Unfortunately, I already cleaned out this reader and, well you can see, only 1 post there now. Feedly is similar to Google Reader in a lot of ways.
Sorry to interrupt this program but we have Breaking News!
If you’re a Feedly user, did you see the poll at the top of your feed asking you if you’d PAY for Feedly services? OMG! Really?
Hell to the NO I won’t pay for a dang reader!
Ok, back to our previously scheduled program
What I do like about Feedly is its mobile app. I can share any blog post to ANY application on my phone, including my beloved Bufferapp! I also am HUGE in sending blog posts to POCKET from my mobile for future sharing and commenting purposes. Very easily done with Feedly. Kudos to that!
Here’s a screenshot of Feedly on the web. Do you see that? OMG!! YES!! I can share to multiple social networks right from within Feedly!! Totally Awesome!
Why is this such an awesome feature for me?
I like to Share the Luv. I may not have time to comment on your post right at that very minute, however, I can read it IN FULL on Feedly AND share to my networks. I can also Share it to Pocket, go back later to Comment on the blog, and reshare again!
Feedly does work out pretty well. ALSO, did I mention this? There is a Chrome Extension that allows you to add any blog with an RSS feed directly to Feedly, without actually going back to Feedly (as with Bloglovin’). The Extension shows a little Feedly RSS icon on the bottom right of your screen, its light gray shadow-like. When you click it, a tiny stream pops up with several chooses, including ADDING TO RSS READER! Woot!
Are you a Feedly user?
Next on my list is another good one “in the making”. It is almost exactly like Google Reader. It’s called The Old Reader. It’s fairly new and they are working fast at making upgrades to it and so far the only 2 downfalls I’ve experienced is:
- No mobile app. This is a must for me.
- It updates feeds slower than the Feedly and Bloglovin’
Let’s take a look at The Old Reader. Here’s a screenshot of my account. Again, I had already cleared out all my posts when taking this snippet.
Very similar to Google Reader, no? Another thing with the Old Reader is, like Feedly, you can add directly to this Reader by adding this small code (http://theoldreader.com/feeds/subscribe?url=%s) to your RSS Subscription extension. Big PLUS for me!
But the biggest downfall for The Old Reader that I’m anxiously awaiting is the Mobile App. I need to be able to access my blogs via mobile! As soon as the mobile app is available, I’ll be ditching all other options…. well that is…. if they don’t make any weird changes.
Wait! Did I mention SHARING from The Old Reader? Check this snippet!
As I was working on this blogpost, I had a new feed poop up! Oh lookie who it is? Adrienne of Adrienne Smith.net!
So if you’re looking at this, and you can view this on your mobile web browser app as well, there is a button to send it to Pocket; you can Share the post within The Old Reader to your other connections; AND you can LIKE it (as in Bloglovin’).
YES! You can find your friends on The Old Reader and follow them!
There are definitely good things coming for The Old Reader so I can’t dismiss it.
So there you have it. My latest update on The Quest for a New Reader. I’ve examined a few others but so far the 3 above are by far, my top choices.
Now I turn it over to you. If you were one of those who was CRUSHED over Google Reader’s demise and have been looking for another Reader, have you found one you like or are you still on the quest like me?
Feature Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net