Google Reader going to the RSS readers retirement home

Google has been busy. With the appearance of Google Now for iOS, which quickly got taken down again, and now it seems that they’re killing off Google Reader.

I’ve just logged on to the Google-flavoured RSS reader to discover that it will be retired on July 1st due to what has been a steady drop in usage.

It appears that several other Google services will also be following it to the old apps home.

I’ve been using Reader for more years than I care to count so this has taken me somewhat by surprise. It seems that I am not the only one either with people taking to Twitter and Facebook in order to express their displeasure over the announcement, with other searching for an adequate replacement that lives up to the big G’s faithful service.

Joining Google Reader at the features knackers yard is CalDav API, Apps Script, Google Cloud Connect, Google Voice App for Blackberry, Google Building Maker, Snapseed Desktop for both Windows and Mac, and Search API for Shopping. According to Google, this is its second round of spring cleaning.

After this takes place, the combined results of spring cleaning rounds one and two will add up to 70 services and features being shutdown.

Those of you, like me, who use Google Reader can export your data using Google Takeout by July 1st, at which point the service will fizzle away.

Are you a Reader user? What service do you plan to move to? I’m looking for recommendations.