Google Reader Getting Overhauled, Removing Your Friends | TechCrunch

pressthepause:

Expect to see a lot more activity on my Tumblr now, friends, as it’ll be my main spot for sharing the cool stuff I’m seeing (well, besides Pinterest, of course).
Disappointing news, since GReader is easily my most used application. I don’t mind the idea of a facelift to bring it aesthetically in line with other Google products, but functionally, it’s so useful and straightforward. I guess I should start phasing to another RSS feed, even just as a backup?

I’m happy to start adding more to public conversations though, and hope this means I’ll be able to share stuff with more people.

This is really awful. While I love sharing links via Tumblr/FB/Twitter, I need Google Reader as a closed ecosystem with sharing. I have my preferences set to share only with my closest girlfriends so I can go off and serve up the kind of commentary I can usually only offer when we’re all yammering away in the corner booth of a noisy and crowded restaurant. Twitter/FB/Tumblr are for being witty or insightful. Google Reader is where I go to be 2 REAL and unprofessional. It’s also how my group of friends from university keeps in touch. :(

I think Google is making a big mistake by cannibalizing a product that is so adored. Anyone who uses G Reader on the regular is nerdy and technologically inclined enough that if they wanted to use Google+ to share, they would already be doing it.