New Google Reader on iPhone? Bah!

May 12, 2008 By

I am playing with the new Google Reader for iPhone. Where am I playing with it? I’m sitting in the middle of Google’s campus. I’m still very disappointed. Here’s some of my disappointment:

1. Can’t share items from top level, like I can on Web page.
2. Can’t add notes to items, like I can on Web page.
3. I can’t see my friends, like I can on Web page.

I won’t tell you what I’m using on my iPhone instead cause I’ve already hyped them up too much.

UPDATE: see the comments here for an answer from the Reader Team (Mihai Parparita, engineer, told me how to see my friends).

PS: I still love the Google Reader web edition, just find the iPhone edition to have limited utility for me. You might like it though. Some of my Twitter friends say that’s how they read all their feeds (I bias my life around sharing feed items, so making me click through items to share makes me mad).

Filed Under: technology industry Tagged With: Google, Google Reader
  • http://blog.persistent.info/ Mihai Parparita

    Hi Robert,

    Thanks for the feedback. The new iPhone site is in beta (a real beta :) ) and we’re looking to see which features users want the most first. Regarding your third item, you can see items from your friends by clicking on “Feeds” at the top of the page and then choosing the “Friends’ shared items” folder.

    Mihai Parparita
    Google Reader Engineer

  • http://blog.persistent.info/ Mihai Parparita

    Hi Robert,

    Thanks for the feedback. The new iPhone site is in beta (a real beta :) ) and we’re looking to see which features users want the most first. Regarding your third item, you can see items from your friends by clicking on “Feeds” at the top of the page and then choosing the “Friends’ shared items” folder.

    Mihai Parparita
    Google Reader Engineer

  • http://www.thejuicycow.com/ Pierre

    @Robert @Mihai
    Impressive reactivity indeed! Now what about addressing more issues / improvements ;-)
    http://www.thejuicycow.com/2008/02/18/google-reader-improvements/

  • http://www.thejuicycow.com Pierre

    @Robert @Mihai
    Impressive reactivity indeed! Now what about addressing more issues / improvements ;-)
    http://www.thejuicycow.com/2008/02/18/google-reader-improvements/

  • Lee Stranahan

    And while you’re at it - same complaints on the mobile version that I use on my Helio Ocean - I’d like to be able to share easier.

  • Lee Stranahan

    And while you’re at it - same complaints on the mobile version that I use on my Helio Ocean - I’d like to be able to share easier.

  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

    Robert, I agree that it’s not terribly exciting, but wouldn’t you agree it’s an improvement over the previous Google Reader version for iPhone?

  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

    Robert, I agree that it’s not terribly exciting, but wouldn’t you agree it’s an improvement over the previous Google Reader version for iPhone?

  • http://comments.deasil.com/2008/05/12/new-google-reader-for-iphone-beta-nearly-perfect/ felix

    I really like the new beta, a lot. I miss the share with note - but hopefully that’s just because it was developed on the main site while this beta was being developed, so it should make an appearance soon. fingers crossed. But the app itself is noticeably faster for me with all the ajaxing instead of page loads.

    But, on the full website, I can’t share an article until I open it up and can see the body. It seems to me that this beta works the same way - when you only see the title you can only star a piece, not share it.

  • http://comments.deasil.com/2008/05/12/new-google-reader-for-iphone-beta-nearly-perfect/ felix

    I really like the new beta, a lot. I miss the share with note - but hopefully that’s just because it was developed on the main site while this beta was being developed, so it should make an appearance soon. fingers crossed. But the app itself is noticeably faster for me with all the ajaxing instead of page loads.

    But, on the full website, I can’t share an article until I open it up and can see the body. It seems to me that this beta works the same way - when you only see the title you can only star a piece, not share it.

  • Ryan Duff

    Honestly, I love it. I’m actually using it on my ATT Tilt using Opera. I’m happy that it works on that. So far, its the best way for me to read my feeds on my phone.

    PS: I saw your post and am making this comment via my mobile. :-)

  • Ryan Duff

    Honestly, I love it. I’m actually using it on my ATT Tilt using Opera. I’m happy that it works on that. So far, its the best way for me to read my feeds on my phone.

    PS: I saw your post and am making this comment via my mobile. :-)

  • christian

    stupid question, but does this work on opera or IE mobile for WM? My phone is not getting a data connection, hence I cannot try it out here.

  • christian

    stupid question, but does this work on opera or IE mobile for WM? My phone is not getting a data connection, hence I cannot try it out here.

  • http://levifig.net/ Levi Figueira

    This is AWESOME!!
    This version will get me back to GR… I think! ;) After getting the iPhone I switched from GR to NNW+NewsGator for iPhone because it was just sooo much better! The ability to “clip” (star/share) items without opening the original page is priceless since some of them are on flash, java or just better on a “normal” screen and I want to check later. Also, being able to get a tidbit of the item without opening the link/destination page is something I *NEED*!

    Good job guys… If only you created a desktop app (maybe I’ll used Fluid.app for that ;) )… Oh, and please: make sure you’re “normal” version stays compatible with Hicksdesign’s skin ^^, (AMAZING one).

    Scoble: thanks for keeping the line between geek-end-users and the companies open!! I think this has been your best contribution to the web! And I can only appreciate your work… :) No matter what people say, Robert… you’re pretty awesome! ;) hehe

  • http://levifig.net/ Levi Figueira

    This is AWESOME!!
    This version will get me back to GR… I think! ;) After getting the iPhone I switched from GR to NNW+NewsGator for iPhone because it was just sooo much better! The ability to “clip” (star/share) items without opening the original page is priceless since some of them are on flash, java or just better on a “normal” screen and I want to check later. Also, being able to get a tidbit of the item without opening the link/destination page is something I *NEED*!

    Good job guys… If only you created a desktop app (maybe I’ll used Fluid.app for that ;) )… Oh, and please: make sure you’re “normal” version stays compatible with Hicksdesign’s skin ^^, (AMAZING one).

    Scoble: thanks for keeping the line between geek-end-users and the companies open!! I think this has been your best contribution to the web! And I can only appreciate your work… :) No matter what people say, Robert… you’re pretty awesome! ;) hehe

  • http://www.Four20.net Four20

    Here is a native Google Reader application for the iPhone(3rd party of course)

    http://www.installerapps.com/2008/04/26/feeds/

  • http://www.Four20.net/ Four20

    Here is a native Google Reader application for the iPhone(3rd party of course)

    http://www.installerapps.com/2008/04/26/feeds/

  • http://solnyshok.blogspot.com/ Solnyshok

    iPHONE is so uninspiring guys… I’m using this version on my Nokia N82 and it works perfectly. Just keep it available for non iPhone users, please.

  • http://solnyshok.blogspot.com Solnyshok

    iPHONE is so uninspiring guys… I’m using this version on my Nokia N82 and it works perfectly. Just keep it available for non iPhone users, please.

  • Brian

    At least for the next year or two, while there still are Nokia, etc… users. :-)

  • Brian

    At least for the next year or two, while there still are Nokia, etc… users. :-)

  • http://simoncast.blogspot.com Simon Cast

    I work Google Reader in a similar way to you Robert, scanning through lots of articles quickly using the keyboard short cuts. As with the previous Google Reader for iPhone I can’t do this which, for me, cuts down the utility of the app.

    My suggestion to the Google App team is to use gestures to provide keyboard like short cuts (e.g. swipe left to set as read, swipe right for emailing, tagging, sharing). The other problem is seeing the article content. Off the top of my head I suggest showing the content of the first article by default and as the user swipes left or clicks on the next article in the stream the content is hidden and content of the next article is opened.

  • http://simoncast.blogspot.com Simon Cast

    I work Google Reader in a similar way to you Robert, scanning through lots of articles quickly using the keyboard short cuts. As with the previous Google Reader for iPhone I can’t do this which, for me, cuts down the utility of the app.

    My suggestion to the Google App team is to use gestures to provide keyboard like short cuts (e.g. swipe left to set as read, swipe right for emailing, tagging, sharing). The other problem is seeing the article content. Off the top of my head I suggest showing the content of the first article by default and as the user swipes left or clicks on the next article in the stream the content is hidden and content of the next article is opened.

  • Roberto

    Hi Robert,

    I follow you blog but find your views getting more and more distorted and obsessed with certain aspects/programs. That is starting to make you come across as less credible and somehow defeating what made you popular in the first place.

    Of course this is blog and you say whatever you want, but I wanted to let you know my view.

  • Roberto

    Hi Robert,

    I follow you blog but find your views getting more and more distorted and obsessed with certain aspects/programs. That is starting to make you come across as less credible and somehow defeating what made you popular in the first place.

    Of course this is blog and you say whatever you want, but I wanted to let you know my view.

  • Paul Robinson’

    Grammar police time!

    It’s not “like I can” but “as I can”. “Like” implies similar to, “as” indicates the same. Like is a preposition, as is a conjunction. Like draws parallels between two different things, as equates them.

    There are lots of web pages explaining the differences.

    In the way you wrote, “can’t share items like I can” means that, in fact, Google Reader does allow you to share items, just not in the same way as you can on the web page.

    What you meant was “can’t share items as I can with the web page” meaning that you are unable to share items in Google reader but can on the web page.

  • Paul Robinson’

    Grammar police time!

    It’s not “like I can” but “as I can”. “Like” implies similar to, “as” indicates the same. Like is a preposition, as is a conjunction. Like draws parallels between two different things, as equates them.

    There are lots of web pages explaining the differences.

    In the way you wrote, “can’t share items like I can” means that, in fact, Google Reader does allow you to share items, just not in the same way as you can on the web page.

    What you meant was “can’t share items as I can with the web page” meaning that you are unable to share items in Google reader but can on the web page.

  • http://mashable.com/2008/05/13/new-google-reader-for-iphone-still-neat-not-very-social/ New Google Reader for iPhone: Still Neat, Not Very Social

    [...] Robert Scoble points out, however, that many of the social features are missing: you can’t share items from the top level, you cannot add notes, and you cannot see your friends. I don’t lack these while I’m on the go, and I suspect most people won’t; also, the last complaint isn’t entirely valid, as explained by Google Reader Engineer Mihai Parparita: you can see items from your friends when you click on “Feeds” and choose the “Friends’ shared items.” [...]

  • Project

    Hmm .I think you rushed this post Robert. I have been playing with it for a few hours now and its pretty amazing. Particularly for those of us who maintain a folder/tag structure. The way you can expand on the fly without reloading the page is superb.

    And when you expand an item there is a Share button right there. Seeing as you need to actually click on an article to read it, I don’t see the problem you are stating with Share.

  • Project

    Hmm .I think you rushed this post Robert. I have been playing with it for a few hours now and its pretty amazing. Particularly for those of us who maintain a folder/tag structure. The way you can expand on the fly without reloading the page is superb.

    And when you expand an item there is a Share button right there. Seeing as you need to actually click on an article to read it, I don’t see the problem you are stating with Share.

  • http://foront.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/new-google-reader-for-iphone-still-neat-not-very-social/ New Google Reader for iPhone: Still Neat, Not Very Social « Tecno Week

    [...] Robert Scoble points out, however, that many of the social features are missing: you can’t share items from the top level, you cannot add notes, and you cannot see your friends. I don’t lack these while I’m on the go, and I suspect most people won’t; also, the last complaint isn’t entirely valid, as explained by Google Reader Engineer Mihai Parparita: you can see items from your friends when you click on “Feeds” and choose the “Friends’ shared items.” [...]

  • http://cybersurge.org/ Michael

    I love the new version of Google Reader for the iPhone, all I need to do is star items and scan titles (with the occasional read, at least on the iPhone). This new update is absolutely great, I don’t think I could think of a way for them to fix it any more.

  • http://cybersurge.org Michael

    I love the new version of Google Reader for the iPhone, all I need to do is star items and scan titles (with the occasional read, at least on the iPhone). This new update is absolutely great, I don’t think I could think of a way for them to fix it any more.

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