Ask HN: Why did Google make Reader ugly?

2 points by DiabloD3 14y ago ↗ HN

I'm a frequent Google Reader user (one of very few apps that get an app tab in Firefox)...

But what happened? I'd ask Google, but they don't particularly want user feed back.

Uncomfortablely large amounts of white space, nothing is balanced anymore, and all the color is gone. I know Gmail can change themes, but I don't think Reader can.

I hope someone at Google reads HN.

5 comments

[ 3.7 ms ] story [ 26.8 ms ] thread

rachelbythebay 14y ago ↗

It might be time to find another way to read your feeds. Some place which actually cares about your experience (and your dollars by extension) would be a start.

EwanToo 14y ago ↗

I've switched to NewsBlur this morning after an hour with the new Google Reader. Newsblur isn't perfect either, but as you say, Google don't want user feed back, they just want your +1's.

http://newsblur.com/

DiabloD3 14y ago ↗

Thanks.

[deleted] 14y ago ↗

(comment deleted)

[dead] rhm0 14y ago ↗

I really don't think the new UI is that bad. Some minor tweaks are needed to improve it, but overall, it's fine.

Mostly, I'd like to see the headers shrunk to allow more Reader space.

As for the other changes (ie. +1 to G+, etc.), only time will tell. But I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.