Taptu: Streamline Your Reading and Social Feeds
Note: This post was originally published on August 6, 2013.
Since the shutdown of Google Reader, many users have been searching for the perfect replacement. Today, I’m excited to introduce Taptu, a fresh, feature-rich alternative to Google Reader that offers more than just a simple feed reader.
Taptu provides a visually appealing and customizable homepage, allowing you to seamlessly add sources and feeds from Facebook, Twitter, and other online content providers.
It also includes an intuitive feature called the StreamStore, where you can graphically add feeds and content with ease. Plus, Taptu boasts robust sharing options and much more. Let’s explore what Taptu has to offer.
Getting Started with Taptu
Starting with Taptu is incredibly easy. You can sign up using your Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter account. Once registered, Taptu prompts you to select your interests and automatically adds feeds from various websites based on your chosen topics. You can further customize by adding your own websites and feeds later on.
After setting up your interests and content sources, your Taptu homepage will be filled with curated content, tailored to your preferences, ready for your enjoyment.
StreamStore: Adding Streams and Topics
Taptu’s StreamStore is a fantastic feature that allows you to add streams, topics, and interests with ease. For example, if you want to add Hongkiat.com to your stream, simply search for it in the StreamStore and add the relevant stream to your tech interests.
Through the StreamStore, you can explore a variety of categories to add interests, topics, and streams, including RSS feeds from other services. It’s a neatly organized way to tailor your content to your preferences.
Reading Your Content with Taptu
Once you’ve set up your streams and content, you can dive into one of Taptu’s core features: content consumption. Your Taptu homepage displays all your topics, with the most recent content from each interest front and center.
If you prefer to focus on a specific interest, you can easily click on the corresponding menu item on the right to view content solely from that category.
Taptu also allows you to bookmark articles and content that catch your eye, so you can save them for later reading.
Sharing Made Easy
Found an article worth sharing? With Taptu, you can easily share content with friends or family via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or even email, all with the press of a button.
You can also bookmark articles for later, making it easy to interact with your favorite content whenever you like.
Customization Options
Taptu offers a range of customization options, allowing you to personalize your homepage and feed lists with different backgrounds, colors, fonts, and custom topics.
You can rearrange elements and topics on your homepage by simply dragging them around. Additionally, Taptu lets you customize the logos and sources of content within specific topics, adding a personal touch to your feed.
Advantages of Taptu
- Clean and modern design
- Multiple sharing options
- Available on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac
- StreamStore for adding interests, topics, links, and content
- Import content and feeds from other services
- Connect your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo accounts
- Customizable interface with options for colors, backgrounds, fonts, and topics
Disadvantages of Taptu
- No list-style or individual feed layouts, similar to a blog layout
- Feed and content tags could be more functional
- Merged streams lack the polished design seen in other parts of Taptu
Conclusion
Taptu stands out as a strong alternative to Google Reader, offering a clean design and a wealth of features across multiple devices. Whether you’re on Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac, Taptu is a versatile option that’s worth exploring. If you decide to give it a try, let us know your thoughts in the comments!