Will Google 'Currents' Make a Wave in Digital Publishing?

SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) -- Google is joining a crowd of companies packaging digital content in a magazine-like format for mobile devices.

The Internet search leader released its version, called "Currents," Thursday. It works on smartphones and computer tablets running on Google's Android software, as well as Apple Inc.'s operating system and its iPhone and iPad.

Here's an app review from Gizmo:

Currents is late to the competition. It will be trying to catch up to Flipboard, one of the most popular applications on the iPad, and Zite, which is owned by Time Warner Inc.'s CNN. Yahoo Inc. released a similar product by called Livestand last month.

In addition to being an app for readers, it can also be used by mobile publishers. This means users could essentially write their own magazine using Google publisher.

Here's how to make your own publication using Google Currents:

Google Inc. says more than 150 publishers have agreed to provide material to Currents. The participating publishers include Forbes, PBS, Huffington Post and AllThingsD.

Learn more about the app in Google's official commercial: