Are all launcher feeds crap?

Why is it that every mobile launcher feed is crap? My main phone is a Pixel and Google’s default Google feed is a bunch of clickbait articles and ads. If I go to Google News “Latest” I get hours or days old news, and they don’t change even if I have read the article already. Half are about some gruesome murder or unusual death, or follow ups to the original story. The murder stories go on for weeks or months. Despite the fact they collect all sorts of data on me most of the feed and news is not of interest. Aren’t they supposed to be feeding me “more relevant content?” Bing News or whatever they call it now is no better. Apple News sometimes seems a bit better, but not much. I’ve tried some other apps with feeds, like Evie Launcher, which does offer better news sources at least. But, most of the stories are days old and don’t change very often. Are there any launchers with decent feeds that are timely and provide you with content you want to see?

Conversation 6 comments

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    31 January, 2020 - 3:17 pm

    <p>Long story short: No. It’s part of what makes mobile death by a thousand papercuts. </p>

  • Paul Thurrott

    Premium Member
    31 January, 2020 - 5:20 pm

    <p>I actually like the Google feed, but I wish these things were configurable so you could choose the feed.</p>

  • Winner

    31 January, 2020 - 7:19 pm

    <p>I don't get many ads on my Pixel's feed, and no murders. Perhaps you haven't configured your interests correctly?</p>

  • waethorn

    31 January, 2020 - 9:08 pm

    <p>Launcher apps are akin to portal sites: just ads and fake news.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      01 February, 2020 - 9:31 am

      That is not true.

      I can’t speak to the quality of non-Google feeds, but I use the Google feed every day and it is full of stories I want to read, plus weather at the top. There are no ads in the feed.

      It is literally the opposite of what you wrote.

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    01 February, 2020 - 2:36 am

    <p>The first thing I do is turn that pane off, when I set up a new phone.</p>

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