Newsgator Shuts Down Its Online Feed Reader
NewsGator, the company behind the popular FeedDemon and NetNewsWire feed readers, just announced that it will shut down the NewsGator Online Reader on August 31, 2009. The company will provide users with instructions on how to migrate to Google Reader. NewsGator's desktop and mobile feed readers already support synchronization with Google Reader. Until today, though, users could choose between syncing with NewsGator or Google Reader. New versions of FeedDemon and NetNewsWire for the Mac will be available today. A new version of NewsGator's iPhone app will also arrive in the App Store soon.
NewsGator Focuses on the Enterprise
This move probably makes a lot of sense for NewsGator, as the company can now focus more on working with its enterprise and government customers. Running an online RSS reader is pretty resource intensive. For the most part, NewsGator was only duplicating Google Reader's features anyway, though it did offer a number of features that Google doesn't yet offer in its online RSS reader.
The most important part of the announcement actually comes at the end of the FAQ about the transition. NewsGator argues that its enterprise products have grown at a record pace in the last 18 months. The company also announced that its Social Sites product already has over a million paying users. Under these circumstances, offering a free online news reader probably didn't make any sense for NewsGator anymore.
Free Desktop Readers Will Live On
It's important to note that the company will continue to develop and support its free desktop and mobile readers, though NewsGator Go! for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile will no longer be available for consumers after August 31. NewsGator's browser toolbar and desktop notifier will also be discontinued.
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Well, I never used the online version of NewsGator anyways so this doesn't affect me. However, I am very thankful that FeedDemon and hopefully the iPhone app will continue to work. FeedDemon is the best desktop RSS reader in the market.
Jeffro: Yes, FeedDemon, NetNewsWire, NetNewsWire for iPhone and all of our other current services are still going strong and are NOT being discontinued. The online RSS reader is the only piece which we are discontinuing.
Glad you like FeedDemon!
I used to use Newsgator Inbox which integrated with Outlook. But when Outlook 2007 came out, it did it just as well. Sorry Newsgator.
http://smbnology.com
It's a shame, I was a big fan of Newsgator, and I've replaced my desktop readers completely with online readers, I've no choice but to give in to Google Reader.
"I've replaced my desktop readers completely"
So go back. I've got almost 1,000 feeds on NetNewsWire (which I bought when it was a paid app) and it handles all my feeds beautifully while integrating a browser so I can work within the app.
Maybe they will start it again, if Google Reader will be shut down:)
I've tried them all. For me, nothing comes close to matching the awesomeness of the Firefox Add-on App, Feedly. It mashes up your Google Reader feeds into an online magazine-style interface with pictures and a smorgasbord of other tools. Like an article and want to forward it, tweet is, recommend it or save it? It's all there.
Gooooooooooooooood
I've been using NetNewsWire and NetNewsWire for iPhone for over a year and have loved them both ever since. The main reasons why I used them over Google Reader were: 1. The iPhone app (I prefer this than a web app), 2. The 2 way sync, 3. Free and no ads in the iPhone app.
I ready earlier today that they were discontinuing the the sync service and forcing users to migrate to Google Reader, which wouldn't be so bad really (other than the hassle of actually doing it). HOWEVER:
1. The clippings (NetNewsWire's version of starred items) seems to be lost, or at least not solved yet.
2. The update to the iPhone app will have ads. This to me is just unacceptable. I truly hate companies that give away an app for free for a while and then do an update to include ads. I understand they have to make money and I'd be happy to pay a few dollars for NetNewsWire for iPhone, but this is just dodgy marketing.
I've spent the last hour setting up Google Reader and will delete NetNewsWire from both my Mac and my iPhone. I'll have to use Google's webapp until I find a replacement app.
crap! now i have to move all my feeds. seriously. i'd like to be able to synch my feeds with my itouch.
have mercy!
It's a shame, I was a big fan of Newsgator, online, desktop and mobile.
This movement really dissapointed me.
Sync with Google Reader seems much slower. Also updates sometimes don't always happen. Seems very flakey so far. Hope it gets better soon as NetNewsWire has been a great RSS reader until now.
First I knew of this was a blank page on my site. So thanks a lot....not!
You have our email addresses, couldn't you just let people know?
Your service used to be fantastic, what happened?
Wendy