IGoogle News: How To Watch News On IGoogle?

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iGoogle News: How to Watch News on iGoogle?

Hey guys! Remember iGoogle? Yeah, that customizable web page where you could add all sorts of gadgets and widgets to keep you updated with news, weather, and more. Even though Google sunset iGoogle back in 2013, it still holds a nostalgic spot for many of us who loved its personalized dashboard. So, let's dive into how you could watch news on iGoogle back in the day and explore some alternatives now that iGoogle is no longer around.

What Was iGoogle?

Before we get started, let's take a quick trip down memory lane. iGoogle was launched in 2005 and allowed users to create a personalized homepage with various gadgets. These gadgets could display anything from email inboxes and calendars to weather updates and, of course, news feeds. It was a fantastic way to get a snapshot of everything important to you as soon as you opened your browser. You could customize the layout, add and remove gadgets, and essentially create your own little corner of the internet.

Why Was iGoogle So Popular?

  • Personalization: You could tailor your homepage to show only the information you cared about.
  • Convenience: Everything you needed was in one place, easily accessible.
  • Variety: There were thousands of gadgets available, covering a wide range of topics and interests.

Watching News on iGoogle

Okay, so how did you actually watch news on iGoogle? It was all about adding the right gadgets. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it worked:

  1. Adding a News Gadget:

    • First, you’d go to your iGoogle homepage. If you were a new user, you might have started with a blank page or a few default gadgets.
    • Next, you’d click on the "Add Gadgets" button. This would take you to a directory of available gadgets.
    • In the search bar, you'd type in "news" or a specific news provider like "CNN" or "BBC."
    • You’d then browse the results and find a news gadget that you liked. These gadgets usually displayed headlines and short summaries of the latest articles.
    • Once you found a gadget you liked, you’d click the "Add to iGoogle" button.

  2. Customizing Your News Feed:

    • After adding the gadget, you could often customize it to show news from specific categories or regions. For example, you might choose to see only sports news or technology news.
    • Some gadgets allowed you to filter news based on keywords or topics, ensuring you only saw stories that were relevant to you.

  3. Reading the News:

    • The news gadget would display a list of headlines. Clicking on a headline would usually open the full article in a new tab or window.
    • Some gadgets offered a preview of the article within the iGoogle page itself, making it even more convenient.

Popular News Gadgets on iGoogle:

  • Google News: This was a default option and provided a broad overview of current events.
  • CNN and BBC News: These gadgets allowed you to get the latest headlines directly from these major news outlets.
  • Local News Gadgets: Many local news providers offered gadgets that displayed news specific to your area.

Why iGoogle Was Discontinued

So, if iGoogle was so great, why did Google decide to shut it down? Well, the tech landscape was changing. Google cited a couple of main reasons:

  • Decreasing Usage: As more people started using smartphones and tablets, they turned to apps and mobile-optimized websites for their news and information. iGoogle, being a desktop-based service, saw a decline in usage.
  • Focus on Core Products: Google wanted to focus its resources on its core products like Search, Gmail, and Google+. Maintaining iGoogle was taking resources away from these key areas.

Alternatives to iGoogle for Watching News

Even though iGoogle is gone, the desire for a personalized news dashboard hasn't disappeared. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives you can use to stay informed:

  1. Google News:

    • Google News is a fantastic alternative that offers a personalized news feed based on your interests. You can customize the topics, sources, and regions you want to follow.
    • It’s available on the web and as a mobile app, making it easy to stay updated on the go.
    • Why it’s great: Personalized news feed, wide range of sources, available on multiple devices.

  2. Feedly:

    • Feedly is a news aggregator that allows you to follow your favorite websites, blogs, and YouTube channels in one place. It’s like creating your own personalized newspaper.
    • You can organize your sources into categories and use filters to focus on the news that matters most to you.
    • Why it’s great: Comprehensive news aggregation, customizable categories, integration with other apps.

  3. Microsoft Start:

    • Microsoft Start is a personalized news feed that appears when you open a new tab in the Microsoft Edge browser. It’s similar to iGoogle in that it provides a quick overview of the news and information you care about.
    • You can customize the topics and sources you want to follow and even add widgets for things like weather and stock prices.
    • Why it’s great: Integrated into Microsoft Edge, personalized news feed, customizable widgets.

  4. Netvibes:

    • Netvibes is another customizable dashboard that allows you to create a personalized homepage with various widgets and feeds. It’s a close alternative to iGoogle.
    • You can add news feeds, social media feeds, and other widgets to create a dashboard that meets your specific needs.
    • Why it’s great: Highly customizable, supports a wide range of widgets, similar to iGoogle.

  5. Inoreader:

    • Inoreader is a powerful RSS reader that allows you to subscribe to news feeds and blogs. It offers advanced features like filtering, tagging, and keyword alerts.
    • It’s a great option for power users who want to stay on top of a large number of news sources.
    • Why it’s great: Advanced features, powerful filtering, ideal for power users.

Creating Your Own Personalized News Dashboard

If you want even more control over your news experience, you can create your own personalized news dashboard using a combination of tools and services. Here’s how:

  1. Choose a News Aggregator:

    • Start by selecting a news aggregator like Feedly or Inoreader. These tools will allow you to subscribe to news feeds from various sources.

  2. Curate Your Sources:

    • Take the time to curate your sources carefully. Choose websites, blogs, and news outlets that you trust and that cover the topics you’re interested in.

  3. Organize Your Feeds:

    • Organize your feeds into categories to make it easier to find the news you’re looking for. For example, you might create categories for world news, technology, sports, and business.

  4. Use Filters and Keywords:

    • Use filters and keywords to focus on the news that matters most to you. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed by irrelevant information.

  5. Add Widgets and Extensions:

    • Add widgets and browser extensions to display your news feeds on your homepage or in your browser toolbar. This will make it easy to stay updated without having to visit multiple websites.

Tips for Staying Informed

Staying informed is important, but it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of the news without getting stressed out:

  • Set a Schedule:

    • Set aside a specific time each day to catch up on the news. This will help you avoid spending too much time scrolling through headlines.

  • Limit Your Sources:

    • Stick to a few trusted news sources rather than trying to follow everything. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed by conflicting information.

  • Take Breaks:

    • Take breaks from the news to focus on other activities. This will help you avoid getting stressed out or burned out.

  • Be Critical:

    • Be critical of the information you consume. Look for evidence-based reporting and be wary of sensationalism and misinformation.

  • Engage in Constructive Dialogue:

    • Engage in constructive dialogue with others about the news. This will help you understand different perspectives and develop a more nuanced understanding of the issues.

Conclusion

While iGoogle may be gone, its spirit lives on in the many personalized news dashboards and aggregators available today. Whether you choose to use Google News, Feedly, Microsoft Start, or create your own custom dashboard, there are plenty of ways to stay informed and connected to the world around you. So go ahead, explore your options and find the perfect way to watch the news that suits your needs. Happy reading!