Google Reader to retire

The Google Reader Blog announced last week that it will soon retire Google Reader (the actual date is July 1, 2013). A regretable decision. I liked Google Reader’s functionality to friend, follow and share stories with others. GR let readers share stories with each other, and comment on them.

Retaining Reader data, including subscriptions, can be done through Google Takeout— Google Takeout’s Reader page. The Google Reader phase-out will also affect the Google App which you may have downloaded for your mobile phone. I have  not found an effective, free alternative to Google Reader so far. Newsblur is the closest in design and similarity of use, but there is a 64-feed limit for the free account.

This post on Lifehacker also describes how to export all your feeds and put them into a new reader.