Google are killing Google Reader. There’s now way to say it, this is a sad, sad direction for Google. Google say that usage of Reader has decreased since launching in 2005. Since then I and many technology fans depend on our RSS subscriptions to stay up-to-date. While many now prefer to get news through Facebook and Twitter (and Google would love to think Google+), the feature set is not the same.
Google Reader provided a simple stream of your latest website updates and used convenient keyboard shortcuts to speed read. Reader also kept track of stats about how many articles you read each month etc. On July 1st, 2013 Google Reader will be switched off. Before then you should download your OPML file containing your subscriptions, ready to plug it into any new readers that emerge.
One of the important things to note for developers, is that those using the Google Reader import function will need to remove it from their apps. In some instances, apps simplified the process by providing just a login/import from Google Reader, these apps will stop working after July 1.
This is just one of many cuts announced today, Google are also shutting down 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, Snapseed Desktop for Macintosh and Windows.
How can I download my Reader data?
Google Reader will be retired on July 1, 2013. If you’d like to download a copy of all your Reader data before then, you can do so through Google Takeout. You’ll receive your subscription data in an XML file, and the following information will be downloaded as JSON files:
- List of people that you follow
- List of people that follow you
- Items you have starred
- Items you have liked
- Items you have shared
- Items shared by people you follow
- Notes you have created
- Items with comments
Click here to start downloading your Reader data from Takeout. Once downloaded, your subscription data should be easily transferrable to another product, where you can continue to keep up with your online reading.
More information @ http://googlereader.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/powering-down-google-reader.html
