Google Reader has just taken the jump from being a purely online feed-reader to providing functionality that allows me to read any of my 2000 last Google Reader subscription items without needing to be online. It does this through what is ultimately a browser plugin: “Google Gears”. Once you install the Google Gears plugin – you get a little green download icon on the top right of your Google Reader, and you can download all your latest feed subscriptions.
Google Gears sounds like it’s bigger than just that, but this is possibly the coolest thing about the feed-reader that was already well and truly my favourite going. It might just convince you Bloglines laggards to make the switch.