Windows only 
It’s been a long time coming, but it looks as though we might have our first full-fledged desktop feed reader that supports synchronization with Google Reader. The RSS Bandit blog announced over the weekend that they have released version 1.7 Alpha that is capable of downloading podcasts as well as synchronizing feeds with Google Reader.
The reason why something like this is nice is that it lets you have a functional desktop feed reader when you’re at your computer, but then you can always access your feeds online when you’re on-the-go. Google Reader’s mobile interface is especially nice, which is the main reason that I’m excited to see the open source RSS Bandit application support it.
Once you follow the few steps in the RSS Bandit synchronization wizard you’ll be able to access your feeds from anywhere. This includes any feeds you unsubscribe/subscribe to, renaming feeds, marking feed items as read, and you can even share items just like you can from Google Reader’s online interface. Pretty nice, huh?
Now if only RSS Bandit was cross-platform. 
Get RSS Bandit 1.7 Alpha [via Digital Inspiration]
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Tags: Freeware, Pre-Release, Software, Alpha, Applications, Downloads, Feed Reader, Feeds, Google Reader, How To
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I’ve been using NewsGator to do almost the same thing for months. And in fact, if you use their tools, you have even more options.
In my case I use NewsGator Inbox to do my of my handling of feeds. It integrates into Outlook, and makes it a dream to do things like forward on interesting posts, etc. And it sync’s up with the web based Newsgator that I can access from anywhere. I’ll take the Outlook integrated reader over a stand-alone app any day.
But if I did want the stand alone app, they have that too. Or if I used a Mac, they have me covered there.
And it’s all free.
I like NewsGator as well, but I don’t think their mobile interface is as nice as Google’s. That’s the only reason that I would prefer to use an app like this over NewsGator’s offerings. Having said that NetNewsWire is still my main RSS feed reader simply because a good desktop app that offers Google syncing isn’t available for Mac’s yet.
The Outlook integration is the must have feature for me now. Having all my feeds and email in one place is a dream. Especially when I want to forward things around, etc. I’ve never used the Google feed interface, so I’m ok w/ the Gator one.
I just wish it was possible to use Firefox as the browser engine in this or Newsgator’s application(s)
Why’s that a big deal? So that it uses the same cookies and history?
Yup, cookies (don’t need to login twice), history (can go back easily), and the use of extensions. Plus I don’t want to skew the browser stats. I’m quite sure I am using IE6 almost as much as Fx3 because of this. Your site gets more IE6 hits from me than Fx3 hits.. and that is not (truly) by my own choice.
Huh, I didn’t even think about it from the stat perspective. That’s a good point though.
Actually, Nick Bradbury, the maker of FeedDemon, wrote about this issue on his blog last March:
“Can Mozilla Be Easily Embedded in a Windows App?”
http://nick.typepad.com/blog/2.....la-be.html
Apparently it’s among the most frequent requests..!