Yes, I still get my regular fix of web content via RSS and my feed reader of choice remains Google Reader. Just a few days ago, it received a major update in terms of the UI, similar to what has been rolled out to Gmail: a very clean, minimalist UI with tons of white space and a generous use of the gray color for contrast.
Redesigned Google Reader
The new redesign also comes with Google+ integration allowing us to +1 any feed we like and share it on our Google+ accounts. A cool feature which re-aligns Google Reader with Gmail and Google+ for a tighter integration.
However, and this could just be me, but I find the redesign a bit too cramped, like there’s too much white space that the feed you’re reading has been squeezed to the lower-right area of the screen. Unlike with the old design where most of the screen is occupied by what you are reading, which is the point of what an RSS reader should be right?
Still, the redesign is a welcome update to Google Reader. What I’m really looking forward to is the updated Android app. What do you think of the new Google Reader redesign?
RSS
e-mail
Julius aka "Jhay" Rocas has been blogging since 2006. He is a certified geek. New Media publisher/Professional blogger and Internet ninja. Youth activist. He blogs about tech news, gadgets and social commentary. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
The same UI is now gracing Gmail Apps accounts. I now spend less time reading email because the ‘excess’ white space is kind of blinding so to speak. It seriously needs more contrast and lines.
I’m a Google fan, but I’ve never used Reader. Never been really attracted to syndication; I’ve always felt like I’m missing out on something if I depended on RSS updates.
Anyway, I do feel the same way about Gmail. It’s so much prettier, I agree, but it feels less usable. Maybe it’s just an impression, and I’ll get used to it.
Yeah, it’s too clean for my tastes. This new minimalist look of Google worked for me in Calendar but in Reader, something just doesn’t look right. I switched back to the old look for a time but now it seems that option has been removed. I’ll just try to get used to this then. :/