Digg Co-founder Kevin Rose Offers to Rescue Pocket After Mozilla Announces Shutdown
In a surprising turn of events, Digg co-founder Kevin Rose has publicly offered to acquire Pocket, the popular read-it-later app, just a day after Mozilla announced its impending shutdown. This move comes as a wave of disappointment washes over Pocket users, who have relied on the app for years to save and consume online content.
Mozilla's announcement, delivered on Thursday, revealed that Pocket would officially cease operations on July 8, 2025, with its API and user data slated for complete removal by October 8, 2025. The company attributed this decision to shifting user habits and a strategic refocusing on Firefox.
"Pocket has helped millions save articles and discover stories worth reading," Mozilla stated in a blog post. "But the way people save and consume content on the web has evolved, so we’re channeling our resources into projects that better match browsing habits today."
However, the news sparked immediate backlash from loyal Pocket users lamenting the loss of a beloved tool. Enter Kevin Rose, the Digg co-founder and chairman, who swiftly took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend an offer to Mozilla and Pocket:
"We love Pocket at Digg, happy to take it over and continue to support your users for years to come."
The prospect of Digg, under its new leadership, potentially acquiring Pocket presents an intriguing scenario. Digg, experiencing a resurgence thanks to Rose's partnership with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, could leverage Pocket's existing user base to fuel its own growth. The recent addition of Christian Selig, creator of the celebrated (but now defunct) Apollo app for Reddit, as an advisor further strengthens Digg's position. A Digg-Pocket integration could streamline content discovery and enhance the user experience for both platforms.
Mozilla's decision to sunset Pocket along with Fakespot, a browser extension designed to assess online product review authenticity, reflects a strategic shift towards focusing on Firefox and related AI-powered features. Mozilla acquired Fakespot in 2023. The company intends to concentrate on delivering features such as vertical tabs and smart search to enhance the browsing experience. While the motivations are understandable, the discontinuation of Pocket represents a significant loss for users who valued its unique capabilities.
Will Mozilla accept Rose's offer and allow Pocket to continue under new ownership? Only time will tell. But for Pocket users, this potential lifeline provides a glimmer of hope amidst the disappointment of the impending shutdown.
What are your thoughts on Digg potentially acquiring Pocket? Share your opinions in the comments below!
