Google Releases Newsreader In Beta

Google Inc. has released in beta a newsreader for staying up-to-date on Web site content.

Google Reader enables consumers to search for content on Web sites and then subscribe to news feeds, which are usually available through RSS, or really simple syndication. RSS is a standard for distributing content over the Web to newsreaders, which gather and organize content.

Reader also enables consumers to email or blog content from within the newsreader, and to label items that they want to save. The software tracks what consumers have read, and automatically removes those items when consumers refresh.

Newsreaders were originally used to stay on top of new information on blogs and Web sites. The software, however, is now being used to also track podcasts.