Google Reader To Shut Down: 5 Replacements To Get Your RSS Fix

Cry all you want, it's over -- Google announced on Wednesday that Google Reader will be shutting down as of July 1. The decision comes as Google tries to consolidate its services -- put all the eggs in one basket. It started with joining Picasa and Reader under Google + in 2011, then some more cancellations in 2012 and now the closing of Reader and iGoogle in 2013.

These movements are part of a strategy of Google to rely less on search and go stronger on a few key products, like Android, Chrome and Google+.

But while we mourn, it is time to find a new feed. It will not be the same, of course not, but we can aim for it to be, at the very least, just as effective. Here are five of the best alternatives out there.

1. Twitter

Ok, Twitter is not an RSS per se, but it can certainly serve as such. Nearly every news source tweets new posts immediately after publishing. The best way to use Twitter as a strict RSS is to create a separate account (apart from your social account) that you can save only to news feeds. Follow your favorite sites and see the news pour on your screen on real time.

2. Netvibes

A close competitor of Reader over the years, it works very similarly to Reader. Some of its functions, more numerous than Reader's, have to be purchased.

3. Feedly

Feedly connects to your Google Reader account, which doesn't really mean that the application is doomed after July. The company recently announced that they have a plan to keep working beyond the D-day: They will just launch an RSS service themselves. Sign with your Google Reader account before July 1, and your feeds will automatically transfer to your brand new Feedly account. It does not get more seamless than that.

4. NewsBlur

NewsBlur is the closest thing you'll get to Reader. It is available for iOS, Android and web, it lets you import Google Reader feeds and read them in a traditional RSS layout.

5. Flipboard

The downside to Flipboard is that it is iOS and Android exclusive -- they do not have a web or desktop design. If you sleep with your smartphone, you might want to consider it: It has its own curated feeds, and connects to a variety of social networks, like Twitter, Facebook and Google+.