Reading Google
Logged into Google Reader today? — for those who have/ do, noticed the changes made over the last 24 hours yet?
If not, it’s time you had another look.
In a “Where’s Wally?” five minute run-down, lets break out the changes that I’ve discovered so far.
1. Loading spinner - visible yet discreet
The loading ‘spinner’ has changed and moved to the top of the page. Whilst it’s good to get a ‘loading’ graphic whilst things are happening, smack in the middle of the page, the size of a decent sized Winnebago, it seemed a bit over-the-top.
This is quite a discreet reminder in comparison, yet vibrant enough to be very visible. If anything it’s far more obvious for all the right reasons.
2. Left navigation border, note the shrink pointer.
The reading list on the left-hand-side can now be shrunk via a show-hide side toggle. This at first seems a bit of an odd option, given that removes the ability to navigate between feeds, however that’s been covered in the next tweak, which changes that navigation.
3. New menu
The top left navigation is changed to reflect that navigation has been stowed away, yet it’s instantly available by tapping the ⇓ button.
4. Floating menu.
Some smart use of Ajax provides a floating menu which provides all the previously hidden left hand navigation tree, which can be popped over, or hidden away in a toggled fashion.
*update: it seems the search has also been touched.
5. updated search
Search using context (such as a feed, or folder) is now much enhanced.
Google is no stranger to utilising Ajax at all indeed it’s frequently hard to miss, however the most recent changes seem to really make the use of it in a far more nuts-and-bolts functional role, rather than “look ma, I can do stupid shit!”.
Google Reader is increasingly effortless in use, with each new tweak improving on the last iteration and in this instance, the changes make for a pretty smooth and easily customised experience.