As Flipboard's Zite Exits, Consider These 4 Alternatives
March 10, 2014
Last week, Flipboard bought Zite for “$60 million over time.” As a result, Zite will be shuttered before the end of the year.
So what’s a Zite user to do? Here are a few alternative apps worth checking out.
This service was one of the first to spring into action when Google Reader faced its own demise in 2013, and does a fine job at aggregating the news based on your content preferences. Unfortunately, the Feedly experience feels somewhat overwhelming since it lists all the content from a provider, not just the stuff one might like.
There was a time Pulse was my favorite news reader. Regrettably, the service has gone decidedly corporate since being acquired by LinkedIn in 2013. This isn’t bad, as the content it provides is still second-to-none. Still, it doesn’t feel quite the same as it once did.
I had never heard of Reverb, which launched in 2013, until after Zite’s impending closure was announced. The service uses content analysis and recommendations to deliver a personalized experience for users.
Of the alternatives listed, Reverb is the closest to Zite in terms how it presents content. Its somewhat flashy presentation, however, could leave some yearning for a more minimalist approach.
One of the reasons I grew tired of the service that has now bought Zite is the cumbersomeness of it all. While its presentation is best described as beautiful, Flipboard has never been for those looking for a quick read. It’s slow and bulky.
Flipboard promises to incorporate some of Zite’s DNA into its service. If a small part of this makes it speedier, we may be in for a treat. At the minimum, I would expect that Zite’s unique algorithm will make Flipboard a much more personalize experience -- something else worth waiting for.
Feedly Reader, Universal
This service was one of the first to spring into action when Google Reader faced its own demise in 2013, and does a fine job at aggregating the news based on your content preferences. Unfortunately, the Feedly experience feels somewhat overwhelming since it lists all the content from a provider, not just the stuff one might like.
LinkedIn Pulse, Universal
There was a time Pulse was my favorite news reader. Regrettably, the service has gone decidedly corporate since being acquired by LinkedIn in 2013. This isn’t bad, as the content it provides is still second-to-none. Still, it doesn’t feel quite the same as it once did.
Reverb, iPad only
I had never heard of Reverb, which launched in 2013, until after Zite’s impending closure was announced. The service uses content analysis and recommendations to deliver a personalized experience for users.
Of the alternatives listed, Reverb is the closest to Zite in terms how it presents content. Its somewhat flashy presentation, however, could leave some yearning for a more minimalist approach.
Flipboard, Universal
One of the reasons I grew tired of the service that has now bought Zite is the cumbersomeness of it all. While its presentation is best described as beautiful, Flipboard has never been for those looking for a quick read. It’s slow and bulky.
Flipboard promises to incorporate some of Zite’s DNA into its service. If a small part of this makes it speedier, we may be in for a treat. At the minimum, I would expect that Zite’s unique algorithm will make Flipboard a much more personalize experience -- something else worth waiting for.
Summary
There will never be another Zite. Fortunately, there are a few alternatives worth taking a look at. Reverb is in the best position to duplicate much of what Zite has done. Flipboard, with Zite’s unique technology now part of its repertoire, has the most resources going forward. Feedly and LinkedIn Pulse are also worth taking for a spin, although neither is very similar to what Zite offered.Mentioned apps
Free
Reverb: Discover, Read, Share & Collect. Effortless, Personalized Discovery
Reverb Technologies, Inc.
