The news has hit everyone on the Internet very hard. Google Reader has announced that it is closing its doors. And while we are all still looking for alternatives to replace the popular service, applications to read news from your mobile, then we find that the true intention of the Mountain View company may be to replace it with a new one, called Google PlayNews, and that it could be falling.
The existence of this possible Google PlayNews It's not something new, but it's been around for a few days. The CSS code, which defines the style of any app, in the Google Play APK for Android reveals that they're preparing two new sections. One of them would be called Magazines and would be purple, and the other would be News and would be yellow. They would be fully accessible from the Google Play app from which we download apps. With these two new sections, which would join the previous four: Books, Music, Apps, and the Movies section of Google Play; that would make six. Additionally, this text was found among the CSS code:
To read Google Play News, you must have a supported Android phone or tablet
Please sign in to get this News edition.
Please sign in to purchase this News Issue.
Please sign in to purchase this News Edition Subscription.
Subscribing you to this news edition…
You have subscribed to this news edition. It is now available on your device.
For now, however, there is no further information about what these new sections would look like. On the one hand, we might think that it is nothing more than a system similar to Newsstand Apple, where we could buy magazines. However, that section would already be occupied by Magazines, leaving the question of what the objective of the News section would be.
On the one hand, it is very strange that Google has decided to close Google Reader with the large number of users it had, which would be justified if they plan to launch an alternative. On the other hand, if they have a replacement, it is really rare that they have not presented it, or at least, that they have not waited to present the new service before announcing the closure of Reader. We will still have to wait to see if this mystery is revealed little by little.
What could Google Play News offer compared to a traditional RSS reader?
Leaked text in the APK suggests editions, numbers and even subscriptions, something closer to a digital newsstand integrated into Google Play than a pure RSS reader. In that scenario, Play News would fit as distribution platform with purchases, access under Google account and immediate availability on compatible devices. A classic RSS reader, on the other hand, focuses on group feeds in chronological order, with full control of sources, categories, filters and distraction-free reading.
If Google Play News takes the editions approach, we could expect payments by number, subscription by header and maybe thematic collections. In contrast, RSS readers prioritize extreme customization (folders, labels, rules, keywords) and synchronization between devices without blocking content behind paywalls (beyond each media's own policies).
Play News is also likely to boost algorithmic recommendations based on habits and previous purchases, while RSS readers allow for a clean timeline and options like offline mode, deduplication and reading in the original site with a click.
Google News vs. RSS Readers: How to Choose
Many users wonder if they should use an RSS reader if they already consult Google News . Google News is ideal for to discover content and receive a algorithm-curated selection based on interests and trends. An RSS reader is optimal when you need absolute control: you choose specific sources, organize by folders/topics, without algorithmic biases and with reading in offline mode. If your goal is not to miss anything specific mediaRSS wins; if you want a quick overview and to discover new titles, Google News shines.
As a practical guideline, combine both worlds: use Google News to explore and an RSS reader for monitor accurately. Add alerts by keyword and filters to reduce noise, and activate reading lists to process faster.
Consolidated alternatives to Google Reader
Feedly It is one of the most complete options. It allows you to organize newspapers, blogs, YouTube and podcasts in one place, with cross-platform sync and clean reading. Its free plan is enough for most, while its Pro and Pro+ plans add searches in your feeds, tracking keywords and brands, and connections with LinkedIn, Buffer, Zapier, or IFTTT for instant sharing. For teams, it offers verticals of market and threat intelligence with monitoring of millions of sources and automatic newsletters.
In addition, Feedly stands out for its focus on default privacy, its fast performance on mobile and for serving millions of professionals. In corporate environments, it allows organize and curate intelligence from a large volume of sources and share insights with the team through automations.
inoreader It is very similar in philosophy, with customizable panel, keyword alerts, integrations (Pocket, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox), and a generous free tier. Its premium plans extend subscriptions, remove ads, and enable advanced rules.
NewsBlur stands out for its real time update, dark mode, reading in original context and the possibility of follow sites without RSS via newsletters. Its free level allows up to 64 sites; paid plans raise the limit up to 1000 and add archiving functions.
The Old Reader bet on web simplicity with OPML import, categories, bookmarks and a social component for follow other users and comment.
Flipboard offers focus on visual magazine with topic, user and social network tracking, feed support and options for create your own magazines shareable.
CommaFeed represents the minimalist way: basic reading, saving for later and sharing, ideal if you are looking for lightness without native apps.
Netvibes works like desktop by widgets; in addition to RSS, it integrates panels and, in its advanced plans, metrics and alerts.
Press y Taptu popularized the format magazine With social media integration and a highly visual experience, if you're drawn to flipping through headlines with fluid transitions, these are interesting alternatives to the traditional style.
Digg Reader was born with a focus on easy migration From Google Reader, keyboard shortcuts, and list/extended views; if you value simplicity with essential features, this is a good fit.
Ad-free and open source options
If you prioritize privacy and zero tracking, there are readers that work without registration and save preferences locally, with categories, lists of read later, favorites, filters by words and offline mode. Many allow import/export via OPML to migrate in seconds from other readers.
For advanced users, Tiny Tiny RSS y Selfoss permiten self-hosting your reader on your server, with keyboard shortcuts, JSON API, readability plugins, deduplication and flexible filtering. The advantage is maximum independence and control of data. As a complement, Pocket It is ideal for saving articles and synchronizing them between devices.
Among the apps without ads, the following stand out: Aggregator News, with distraction-free interface, configuration by themes and language, categories in tabs, lists of favorites y read later, sharing fast, support offline, customization of colors and dark mode, filters by words (including parental control) and OPML for import/export. Saves data locally, no account required, optimizes data consumption with cache and avoid background processes to take care of the battery.
Migration and productivity: what you need to keep in mind
Before switching, export your subscriptions to a file OPML from your current reader. Most alternatives import it instantly, preserving folders and labels. Check if you need global search, filters by words, integrations with tools (for example, IFTTT, automation with internal newsletters), reading offline, or plans to equipment with market/threat monitoring. If you use social media, consider readers who allow share one touch and automate flows.
Optimize your flow with keyboard shortcuts, rules for Mark as read the irrelevant, labels to prioritize and automatic shipments to Pocket or to your CMS. If you work in a team, create thematic collections and internal newsletters; if you investigate, activate alerts by words and monitoring of brands and competitors.
If it finally appears Google PlayNews, will likely fit in as a showcase for editions y subscriptions within Google Play. However, RSS readers maintain their space due to their chronology without algorithms, its distraction-free approach and its ability to extreme customization. Choosing one or the other will depend on whether you are looking for discovery o control, integrated kiosk or professional reading from specific sources. With OPML and modern tools, the transition today is quick and frictionless.
