Digg working on Google Reader replacement

Another one bites the dust. The latest casualty in Google’s stable is the beloved Google Reader. The search giant is planning to eventually kill the Reader (July 1, to be precise!), and users are already looking out for the next best alternative to turn to. 

Digg is planning to build a Google Reader-like reader and with Google tolling the death knell of this service, Digg has announced that it is moving its plans of building one to the top of its list, with work has already begun on the Digg reader. 

The clock’s a ticking

“We’ve heard people say that RSS is a thing of the past, and perhaps in its current incarnation it is, but as daily (hourly) users of Google Reader, we’re convinced that it’s a product worth saving. So we’re going to give it our best shot,” says the Digg post announcing the move. As part of this process, Digg reveals that it wishes to “identify and rebuild the best of Google Reader’s features”, and this includes the latter’s API. In doing so, they plan to make it progressive enough to “fit the Internet of 2013”. 

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What makes this deal interesting is that Digg is seeking the opinions and inputs of the users, on what they’d like to see in a reader. “In order to pull this off in such a small window, we’re going to need your help. We need your input on what you want to see in a reader. What problems should it solve for you? What’s useful? What isn’t? What do you wish it could do that it can’t today?” the post adds. 

They’re inviting those with ideas to come forth and help them build the new reader. Those interested can click here, and enter their email address in the space provided for it. 

The decision to down the shutters on Google Reader on July 1, is part of Google’s most recent spring cleaning session, and to say the least it has come much to the dismay of loyalists. 

Google Reader allows users to keep a tab on content from their favourite blogs and news websites in one place, which made it look almost like an inbox. The service was a hit with compulsive news junkies who used the service dedicatedly. 

“We launched Google Reader in 2005, in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favourite websites. While the product has a loyal following, over the years, usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader,” Urs Hölzle, Google’s Senior Vice President of Technological Infrastructure, wrote in a blog post.

While Buzz’s death did not really affect the masses much, Google Reader’s impending execution is having die hard users up in arms. Despite bigger world news including the election of a new Pope, Twitter users were all abuzz about Google Reader so much so that the topic was trending worldwide on the number one position ever since the announcement. Several online petitions have also sprung up to badger Google into changing its decision. Amusingly, a U.S. resident even started a petition directed to the White House, requesting the Obama government to request Google to change its decision to shut Google Reader down. The petition already has 69 signatures and requires 99,931 more for it to merit a response from the government.