Google kills off Reader in Spring purge

Google has confirmed that it will close its Reader platform, with users urged to export their data by 1 July.

The company said that it would be discontinuing its RSS aggregation platform due to a decilne in user interest. The platform will continue to operate temporarily until Google switches over to the Takeout platform in the coming years.

"We launched Google Reader in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favourite websites," the company said.

"While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined."

In addition to the Reader cut, Google said that it will be also mothballing Snapshott for Windows and OS X desktop and the Voice for BlackBerry Desktop application on its platforms. The company cited a need for timely updates and a transition to HTML5 in its reasons for discontinuing the platforms.

"These changes are never easy," the company said.

"But by focusing our efforts, we can concentrate on building great products that really help in their lives."

Google recently unveiled an overhaul to Android which would include the departure of Andy Rubin. The move is believed to be the result of a merger between Android and Chrome.

Android has arisen in recent months to become the dominant platform for mobile devices. Researchers recently suggested that the platform would soon become the dominant mobile operating system.