by Sangeeta Deogawanka

Created on: December 02, 2010

While the Google Reader has been around on the mobile web for a while, it has not been available on the Android market, an oddity considering that the Android itself is a Google OS. 

However it has just been released on Dec 1st, as a festive offering to Android user, as the Google Reader for Android powered devices. This now allows access to most of its RSS features, even syncing with your existing Google Reader on your computer, so you do not end up reading the same stuff again!

Although the app supports all basics like unread counts, friends, stars and feeds, it comes with some typical Reader enhanced features especially tailored to the Andoid OS.

RSS feeds

The Google Reader for Android allows you to view all new items in your account or items belonging to a certain category or usual feeds. At the same time, you can add RSS feeds from multiple sources and read them on a single browser window. Sharing and marking feeds with stars is easy with this new app, especially with a multiple account sign-in.

Each news item can be starred, liked or shared with annotations, just as in the web, and the same can be synergised with various social media, while you add updates to your reader feed. 

An all-new feature is the 'hit' menu key which may be used to 'send' a feed that auto synchronizes with other apps already on your Android device. 

Synced Preferences

The all new format of the Reader allows synced preferences and full subscription feature availability from your Android phone, 2.0 and above, that makes it a favourite for avid Android readers.

Subscription Management

The long-press on folder is another Android specific add-on, that allows the users to change or rename folders, while that on a subscribed item or subscription option on contextual menu enables you easy subscription management.

For instance, this works well when you sync Google Listen for Android to Google Reader. 

Multiple Accounts

While the Google Reader for Android offers the ability to share news feeds across social networks, its feature of multiple account sign-in makes it that much easier for functionality of search functions and sharing across various social media platforms. 

Search function

The app has the ability of an integrated search for social media, without leaving your browser, a feature that is highly appreciated by mobile users.

Volume Key Navigation

The volume key in the setting, enables easy volume based navigation.

Easy Readability

One of the most redeeming feature of the Google Reader app is its easy readability and navigability, that makes great sense for small devices. 

With the addition of key shortcuts for easy navigation within the UI, the Google Reader app for Android seems to be a winner app.

Learn more about this author, Sangeeta Deogawanka.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.