Android's Google Reader App Gets More Muscle

Author: Mehdi Rais, M.D.

Last week, Android’s Google Reader app received some dynamic updates that bring the app closer inline with the online experience, and in some ways now exceeds the web version.  I lean on this app to keep up with over 225 news feeds a day ranging from Health IT to technology to emerging clinical best practices to a myriad of other topics.  Among the updates to the Android version of Google Reader include:

• Unread Count Widget: any feed can be chosen within your Google Reader (labels, person, specific feeds, or all items.)  You’ll have a pulse on developments in your reader inbox as they happen.  Clicking on such feeds will send you to the respective feed.

• News Ticker Widget: any feed within Google reader can cycle through those headlines and stream on the homescreen. Much like the previous widget, clicking on a given article will take you to the article.

• Mark previous as read: this feature isn't available in the online version; currently you can only mark a time period (last day, week, etc.) as read, not everything prior.  In your reading list view, you can simply press “Mark previous as read” to mark feed listings above the screen as read.

These developments are right in line with the spirit of Google Reader's aim to streamline your online browsing experience.  Have you made the leap yet to Google Reader?

About the author:

Mehdi Rais is a physician, medical lecturer, medical writer, and self-proclaimed “tech nerd.” When Dr. Rais isn’t honing in on his trades, he spends his time scouring publications and the web for the latest trends in technology in the medical field, new applications in Health Information Technology, and emerging legislative & regulatory changes in medicine. 

Dr. Rais' interests are greatly focused in the realm of mobile computing and the use of cell phone technologies in the clinical setting.  He received his Medical Doctorate from St. Christopher’s College of Medicine after spending his undergraduate years at the University of Texas at Dallas.  

Dr. Rais can be reached on LinkedIn or followed at his blog here. Look for him on Twitter @DrMedBlog.