### Mozilla’s Announcement to Close Pocket: A New Possibility from Digg Co-Founder Kevin Rose
In an unexpected twist, Mozilla has revealed plans to shut down Pocket, its widely-used read-it-later service, which will officially stop functioning on July 8, 2025. This news has caused significant concern among Pocket users, many of whom depend on the platform to save articles and discover interesting content. Just a day following the announcement, Kevin Rose, co-founder of Digg and current chairman, openly stated his desire to acquire Pocket, sparking conversations about the future of the service.
#### The Shutdown Announcement
Mozilla’s choice to discontinue Pocket is part of a larger plan to realign its resources towards improving the Firefox browser. The company pointed to evolving user behaviors and changes in content consumption as major factors for this decision. In a statement, Mozilla highlighted that although Pocket has catered to millions, the methods by which people save and interact with content have evolved dramatically. Consequently, Mozilla aims to focus its initiatives on projects that better correspond with contemporary browsing habits.
The company assured users that although Pocket will be phased out, features such as tailored content recommendations will continue to grow within Firefox. New features like Tab Groups and advanced bookmarks are on the way to offer users more efficient ways to organize their reading lists.
#### Kevin Rose’s Offer
In a daring initiative, Kevin Rose turned to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly propose his takeover of Pocket. In his message, he tagged both Mozilla and Pocket, demonstrating his serious intentions to rescue the service. Rose’s longstanding involvement in the tech sector, particularly as a Digg co-founder, adds weight to his proposition.
The timing of Rose’s proposal is particularly notable, as it follows closely behind his and co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s announcement of a Digg revival. With a fresh leadership team, including Christian Selig, recognized for his work on the Apollo app for Reddit, the Digg team is eager to innovate and seize new opportunities.
#### The Future of Pocket
While it’s still unclear whether Mozilla will consider Rose’s proposal, the idea of Pocket being revitalized by an experienced entrepreneur offers a beacon of hope to its dedicated users. Many individuals have voiced their disappointment over the possible loss of Pocket, which has long been a key player in the read-it-later app space, frequently likened to competitors such as Instapaper.
As the shutdown date nears, users are left contemplating their alternatives. Some may transition to different services, while others may cling to the hope of a revival under Rose’s guidance. The tech community is observing closely to see if this possible acquisition will take place and what it could signify for the future of content curation and access.
#### Conclusion
The notification of Pocket’s discontinuation signifies the conclusion of a chapter for many users who have relied on the service to maintain their reading lists. However, Kevin Rose’s public proposal to assume control of the platform presents a potential lifeline for the cherished app. As Mozilla redirects its focus to other endeavors, Pocket’s future remains uncertain, leaving users with a blend of nostalgia and optimism for what may lie ahead. Whether Rose’s offer will succeed is yet to be determined, but it undoubtedly introduces an exciting chapter to the continuing story of digital content consumption.
