Lilbits (6-18-2013): Google Readerpocalypse approaches

On July 1st, Google will shut down its web-based RSS reader. For the past half decade, Google Reader has pretty much dominated the RSS reader space, but since Google announced plans to kill the service a few months ago, a number of companies have been promising to step up to the plate.

We’ve had a little renaissance in RSS apps, with Feedly developing its own feed syncing service, NewsBlur improving its design and infrastructure, and new solutions such as CommaFeed and Digg Reader entering the space.

While I’ll miss Google Reader, we may actually be entering a new age of RSS readers now that the elephant is leaving the room. I guess we’ll find soon enough whether anyone not running a 1-person shop can actually make a successful business out of an online feed reader. Google never charged for Reader and it’s not clear if the company ever made a dime on the service.

If you’re a Google Reader user, how do you plan to get your fix starting July 1st?

Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web.

• What tech-savvy users are using for RSS now that Google Reader’s demise is imminent
  Google Reader will shut down at the end of the month. A poll at Hacker News shows what some of the most tech savvy folks around are using as replacements. Feedly and NewsBlur seem to be popular choices. [Hacker News]
• Humble Bundle 6: Pay what you want for 7 Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android games
  There’s a new Humble Bundle, and this time you can get up to 7 games. Most titles will run on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Google Android, although you have to pay more than the average price to unlock a few titles, including Broken Sword. Right now that average price is still less than $5 though! [Humble Bundle]
• Oppo Find 7 smartphone with Snapdragon 800 coming this fall?
  Chinese phone maker Oppo’s Find 5 is a relatively popular, well-built smartphone that can hold its own against models from better-known brands. Now there’s a rumor going around that the company is working on a new model with a 4000mAh battery, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, and a 5 inch, 1080p display. [Android Authority]
• Sony Xperia Z finally headed to the US, thanks to T-Mobile
  Sony introduced the Xperia Z flagship smartphone in January, but so far it hasn’t been available in the US. That’ll change in the next few weeks when T-Mobile starts to offer the 5 inch, water-resistant smartphone. [The Verge]
• Skype Video Messaging comes out of beta, brings video voicemail to all
  Skype now lets you record a video message if you call someone who isn’t available to chat in real-time. It’s voicemail… for video, and it’s available in Skype’s desktop apps, as well as the latest Android, iOS, and BlackBerry apps. Oddly, Windows Phone support isn’t ready to go just yet. [Skype]

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