Google Currents is a spanking new platform for viewing online publications with the swipe of a finger. The Flipboard alternative enables you to read online magazines, your favorite blogs, websites, RSS, video and photo feeds, public Google+ streams, and Google Reader subscriptions on your smartphones and tablets. You can also read them offline when you are detached from any web access. Google Currents is also (quite obviously) tied to Google+, so you can easily share with your circles. To support the launch Google Currents has handpicked more than more than 150 publishing partners (like CNET, AllThingsD, Forbes, Saveur, PBS, Huffington Post, Fast Company etc.) and brought their full length articles to the app.
A Boon for Publishers
Google has made it easy for publishers to customize content for the application and also include ads for revenue generation. Google offers a web editor with templates to help easily frame their content and push it through the app. An added incentive is that Google is also going to share advertising revenue with the publishers. A few other plans like the one to sell specific articles to readers for a small fee could also be in the offing.
What do you think?
With Google boosting the app it sure looks like a win-win game. Similar apps like Flipboard and Pulse will have to sit up and take note as Google Currents rolls out with its slew of user and publisher friendly features. The only bump on the road so far is that ‘currently’ Google Currents is only available for the US. If you are thinking of downloading the app, then do visit the Apple App Store and the Android Market. Give us a shout if you love the app. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.