Google 'Flipboard for Android' Currents Is Here, on the iPad as Well

As expected, Google has debuted its news reader app Currents, for Android and iOS devices. The app, like the many before it, enables users to get access to hundreds of magazines, blogs, newspapers and so on and read content formatted and optimized for the device you're on.

"Today we’re expanding our content offering with the introduction of Google Currents, a new application for Android devices, iPads and iPhones that lets you explore online magazines and other content with the swipe of a finger," Google said.

News reader apps are nothing new. Flipboard is regarded as one of the best apps on the iPad and it's very popular. Other big web players jumped in, AOL has Editions and Yahoo has Livestand.

But Google thinks it has a chance too and the fact that it's also available for Android tablets and phones helps.

Google Currents comes with content from over 180 publications from the start. It can also import your Google Reader feeds and any other RSS feeds as well as your Google+ stream.

The big draw of the app, as opposed to just using the websites, besides the fact that everything is packed together, is that the articles, photos, videos and so on are displayed in a way that makes the most of the size of the screen and the touch support.

There are also sharing options, obviously linked to Google+. You can share articles, photos and so on with your friends. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instapaper are also available as options.

Google Currents comes with self-publishing tools enabling websites and magazines to format their content for the app without any knowledge of HTML5 and the likes.

"For example, if you’re a small regional news outlet, a non-profit organization without access to a mobile development team, or a national TV network with web content, you can effortlessly create hands-on digital publications for Google Currents," Google explained.