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Category: Technology Author : Duncan Riley Posted: December 4, 2008
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Google messes with GReader: The new Google is soft and feminine


Google has launched a redesigned Google Reader (GReader) including new looks and features.

Collapsible navigation is now offered in the sidebar so users can now maximize or minimize all controls. Friend sharing gets an improved look in, with a dedicated section. Users can now turn off unread counts that according to Google cause anxiety, and “Feed Bundles,” the grouping of related feeds you are offered when you first sign up are now automated.

That’s the good part, and then there’s the looks.

Gone is the traditional Google hard but functional aesthetic into something out of a Jane Austin novel, well a Jane Austin novel interpreted by Sergey Brin anyway. It’s soft and feminine and you can’t switch back to the old version, or even customize it, which is a bit rough given Google has been rolling out customization options for iGoogle and Gmail. Some may like the new looks, and they are certainly more consumer friendly, but I live in GReader, and I liked it just the way it was thank you.











Comments


7 Archived Responses to “ Google messes with GReader: The new Google is soft and feminine ”

  1. ontarioemperor
    Dec 4, 2008

    Unfortunately, they didn't address my primary issue, speed of loading. If I have more than about 20 shared items, Google loads the first set of them, then another set, etc. I don't know enough technically to know why it takes so long to the items, but I know my workaround – I delete items from my Shared Items list after a day or two (meaning that FriendFeed is my only repository of Google Reader Shared Items).

  2. visco
    Dec 4, 2008

    ditto. too much white and soft colors. I liked it the way it was.

  3. Pat Hawks
    Dec 4, 2008

    I'm with you on the customization, I wish I could choose my color scheme.
    But I think all this will become a non issue once the Gmail team implements Open Social's canvas view. Merge Google Reader and Gmail at last (just like Outlook, Thunderbird, and any other desktop mail program that's worth it's salt).

  4. Tyler
    Dec 5, 2008

    Jane Austin Pwns you!

  5. Vezquex
    Dec 5, 2008

    Shoot! This screws up Helvetireader.

  6. Will Higgins
    Dec 6, 2008

    I use Google Reader all the time (500-600 items/day) and I LOVE the new interface. When you put it next to the old UI, the old one looks ugly. Too much space wasted with rounded edges and colours.

    I don't understand what makes the new one 'feminine'. It's just more minimal, afaic.

  7. JT
    Dec 16, 2008

    Jane AUSTEN