[ad_1]
During I / O 2021, Google announced that Chrome for Android would test a built-in RSS reader. It’s considered an experience that may never get started, but you can try out the RSS-powered “Web Feed” in Chrome today.
Update 10/8: Google has decided to test more widely the “Web feed” supported by RSS. Namely, it is tested in Chrome 94 (the current stable version) and later versions. As such, the functionality can be activated without switching to the beta application, while it is already deployed for a “% of people. “
Adrienne Porter Felt, Director of Chrome Engineering noted an iOS version “is in progress”, while a desktop web feed is “planned but a bit further”.
Original 6/17: The “Web Feed” – as it is called – works on Chrome 92 (currently in beta channel) 94 and newer. Enter chrome: // flags / # web-feed in the address bar and select “On” from the drop-down menu. Relaunch the browser as instructed.
After activation, visiting most sites will reveal a “Follow” button at the very bottom of the overflow menu. If a site doesn’t use RSS, Google will use its existing content index to keep you posted. The tapping generates a snack bar that confirms the subscription with a “Go to feed” link.
On the New Tab page, you get a new “Followers” feed that joins the existing “For You” based on Discover. They’re visually very similar, but the new one uses full-width cards that feature large cover images followed by the title, site name, post time, share, and overflow.
This last menu allows you to open a new tab or Incognito tab, download a link, hide this story – useful for hiding things you’ve already read elsewhere, flagging content, or sending comments. The main settings gear icon opens a Manage page with a new “Tracking” item to quickly unsubscribe from sites you’ve added.
Chrome web feed for Android is a very basic RSS reader and you can very easily find more complete ones, but it will be fine for casual users. Google will be evaluating feedback from publishers and end users to decide whether to launch this experiment.
This is a radical departure from Discover’s algorithmic approach of delivering content that may be of interest to users. The scope of customization defines the general topics that interest you. Instead, Google imagines this new offering as providing “deeper” and intentional connections – like social media following – between publishers and readers.
Learn more about Google Chrome:
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links which generate income. Following.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more information:
[ad_2]
Source link