First batch of invites to Digg Reader out

The first batch of Digg Reader invites has been sent out to participants who contributed to its development with their suggestions. Digg has affirmed now that the service will be made available in a few hours to those who had previously signed up for an early access.

iOS app now available

The beta version of Digg Reader will primarily cater to Google Reader users looking to migrate to a new platform before July 1. Once these users sign in to the service using their Google login credentials, they will find all of their existing feeds and folders set up. Those completely new to the idea of RSS feeds can use Digg Reader to build their pool of sources from a list of recommended publishers or search for feeds via the Add button. They can also use that option to search for feeds by typing the name of the source. 

Digg, a popular social news website, had been working on its Reader service for sometime now, but speeded up the process only after Google recently announced its decision to retire Reader post July 1, 2013. The Digg Reader has content from publishers in 25 categories and sources that have been recommended by Digg’s editors.

Digg promises that those used to Google Reader will find themselves at home with the new Digg Reader – at least as far as keyboard shortcuts are concerned; for instance, j and k to move between articles, s to save, d to Digg and v to view URL.

Digg looks a lot like it’s emulating Google Reader

Depending on their preferences, users can view feeds in either List or Expanded View. They can also save their feeds to Instapaper, Pocket or Readability, or share articles to Twitter and Facebook. Other Digg Reader features include the ability to Digg posts you like, Save posts for later viewing. A user’s activity on Digg Reader can be set as public or private.

If you’ve been using the Digg app on your iPhone or iPad, you may be among the first ones to actually try out Reader. The app is live on the iTunes store . At the Internet Week New York last month, Digg CEO Andrew McLaughlin had said that its Reader will not be a separate app and will be simply called “Digg Reader”.

Over the next few months, Digg has announced they will add a host of new features to the Reader, including Search, options to “Mark as Unread” and “View Only Unread”, give users the ability to rank and sort stories by popularity, article length, tools that enable users to organise feeds, and options for sharing articles on to Linkedin, Google+ and other networks like Tumblr. The Android app for the Digg Reader is expected in July.