Digg RSS reader due in June, might not be free

Digg is aiming to release a beta version of its RSS reader some time in June, ahead of the July 1 closing of Google Reader, but it may not be free.

After Google announced it would be shutting down its RSS reader back in March, Digg promised users it would build a new platform that could replace Google Reader. Digg has been working on the new service as its top priority, and this week it announced more details about what may be included in the reader. Digg also alluded to the fact that it will probably charge for its reader.

“Free products on the Internet don’t have a great track record,” Digg said in a blog post. “They tend to disappear, leaving users in a lurch.”

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Digg said it conducted a survey of its users and found that more than 40% of the respondents would pay for the RSS service.

“We’re not sure how pricing might work, but we do know that we’d like our users to be our customers, not our product,” Digg said.

A paid platform, however, would be in direct contrast to Google Reader, which was available for free. Other RSS readers, including the Old Reader and Feedly, are also available for free.

As for features, Digg said it will likely support some social capability within the service. It also said users will be able to share stories over email, Facebook and Twitter. As for those who like to use read-it later service, Digg said it plans to support Pocket, Instapaper, Evernote and Readability.

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