Congoo.com - Personalized News Aggregator

Congoo is a news aggregator site which allows readers to create their own news portal with stories that interest them. With its News Circles feature, members can share in real time, their news portals with stories drawn from over 480 categories which can be as specific as Java or as broad as Law related. Or members can opt to have their news sent to them as updates in their inbox. Congoo’s appeal lies in its access to subscription only articles, e.g. NY Times Select or the Financial Times, via its NetPass toolbar. Users get free access to subscription content from over 25,000 sources. Newly initiated networking features give the site a more social bent. Each news item is shown with members who are interested in the subject; members can interact and fill out profile info. The networking features are currently rather limited, however, Congoo remains a great place to get all the news you want.

“Congoo News is a uniquely valuable tool for staying current on anything. Congoo News features stories from over 25,000 free and subscription content sources across hundreds of topics categorized and updated every 15 minutes! Congoo’s news channels focus on providing real time information across hundreds of broad and niche topics with a special focus on industry news and information. Many of the Web’s most valuable news stories are locked away behind subscription barriers and only available to paying subscribers. This is why many news aggregators don’t feature premium information in their news headlines. In addition to the news channel, cutting-edge features like News Circles™ help users create their own News Portal in seconds, and then share it with the world or a private group. News Briefings and keyword alerts keep you informed about important news spanning the free and invisible Web.”

Congoo’s NetPass alone is enough to make you want to join—free access to subscription only articles. The site also does a nice job of categorizing news and narrowing down topics that may be of interest to its readers. The networking features, although currently lacking, could go far if there were more interaction offered. The site is smart and geared for the informed reader.

The design could use work. The social interaction aspects need to be expanded; as of now, it"s barely noticeable. Commentary, for one, would be a welcome addition.