Google Reader

Google's beloved RSS feed aggregator, Google Reader, is heading to the cyber graveyard on July 1. But there's no need to lament, since Digg, the up-vote, down-vote social news site that was forced to shutdown in 2010, is returning to the web with a reader of its own!

The Digg engineering team posted the first screenshots of its Google Reader replacement, which launches publicly on June 26.

When Digg announced their reader in March, they hoped to "identify and rebuild the best of Google Reader's features" and anticipated a late 2013 release date. Apparently, production was sped up to roll out Digg Reader ahead of Google Reader's July end date to make migration as seamless as possible.

What can you expect from the new RSS feed aggregator? A site that's simple, fast, optimized for any screen size, free (with premium paid options later in the year), and as socially conscious as Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook.

Sign up to be notified when the new Digg Reader has arrived, or if you need an alternative right this second, turn to one of these RSS aggregators fit for headline grazers.

Be sure to export your Google Reader data (subscriptions, bookmarked items, notes and all) before July 1 at dataliberation.org.

Sorry news junkies, but Google has an update you won't like: the company's beloved Google Reader has fallen victim to Spring cleaning. As of July 1, 2013, the RSS feed aggregator, which has maintained a devoted following since 2005, will power down so that Google can "focus — otherwise we spread ourselves too thin and lack impact," the company said on its official blog.

A petition to keep the service has already collected over 50,000 signatures, but the truth of the matter is, Google has no plans to replace Reader.

Headline grazers, we've got your web browsing back. To find out how to export your Google Reader subscriptions and what the best RSS aggregating alternatives are, keep calm and read on.

Reader Lauren recently posted this question in our Ask the Community Forum:

What is the best RSS reader application for the iPhone? Any recommendations?

Since I use Google Reader on a daily basis, I use the Google mobile app to access my RSS feed quickly. The feed opens in Safari, not inside the app.

Do you have a favorite app for reading an RSS feed on your iPhone? Head over to the community forum and help Lauren find the best app.

Google recently just announced the "Like" feature for Google Reader. But did you know that there is a ninja mode with a secret konami code? This code not only makes ninjas appear in the left-hand sidebar, but it also turns your Like button heart into bursting hearts when you click on it (and into a broken heart with the unlike button). Watch below to find out how!

• A frail-looking Steve Jobs was spotted at Apple yesterday, wearing his usual attire — TMZ
• Oh boy, stayed tuned for The Bachelor and The Bachelorette video games, coming to a console near you — Kotaku
• Is it just me who finds it funny that Twitter tweets are taking over Facebook? — Mashable
• Samsung unveils its first set of LED-backlit LCDs which start at $3,600 — Gizmodo
• Google Reader gets some new fancy features like mobile-format links — Lifehacker
• It's true! We're still giving away Amazon Kindles! Log in for a chance to win one — geeksugar

As a devoted Google Reader user, I relish any tips I can use to make it even more useful — so imagine my delight the other day when I let my laptop slip (I told you I was a klutz) and grabbed for it, panicked — and accidentally had hit a key combo that brought up a key of Google Reader keyboard shortcuts.

Don't worry, I replicated it — it's shift + ? — and you can also open it as a separate page.

All this time I've only known about J and K to go up and down through stories, but there's a whole world of keyboard shortcuts! Somehow these always end up being faster than using my mouse for me — not unlike my other new beloved shortcut to shut down my Mac!