I don’t hate it as much as everyone else seems to — that old design looked old in 2005. But wow, that +1 button. Maybe they should just put it fully over the star with the next iteration. Or maybe they can make it big and blinking.

It just screams: “PLEASEEEE CLICKKKKK MEEEEE”. Maybe that’s an okay thing — it does make sense — Google+ needs more content. But this implementation also looks kind of tacky. Especially since all the other share buttons are buried in the “Send to” drop down. 

Ultimately, I doubt it matters all that much. Actual human beings are not going to use this new Google Reader any more than they used the old version. It’s purely a blogger/news junky tool. 

Google is ripping out the underlying social stuff in Google Reader — stuff that never really worked anyway — and instead using their RSS reader as a way to spur Google+ usage.

Makes sense. I’m excited for the new design, which is comically old (and naturally will look nowhere near as good as Reeder).

Here’s the best part of this announcement though:

We recognize, however, that some of you may feel like the product is no longer for you. That’s why we will also be extending Reader’s subscription export feature to include the following items. Your data belongs to you, after all, and we want to make sure you can take it with you.

Translation: Many of you will hate having Google+ shoved in your face. Too bad. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. 

FWIW, I agree with this mentality. If you’re going to go for it, go for it. 

The just-released Reeder Version 2.0 is awesome. Finally, a good Google Reader native app for the iPhone.

Find it here in the App Store ($2.99)

Update: My larger review of the app.