If you like reading articles and other content on the web but don’t always have time to read it straight away then it’s worth taking a look at these three web and mobile apps.
Following on from Cassie's post about Instapaper launching on Android, I had a go at viewing different types of web content in three popular options at the moment: Pocket (formerly Read it Later), Readablitly and Instapaper. All three allow you to save content to a personal account (accessed via your web browser or mobile device) to read later or straight away only in a more readable format, but each has their own unique points.
Pocket (formerly Read it Later)
Founded in August 2007 by Nathan Weiner, Pocket allows you to save “articles, videos or pretty much anything” to access from different devices whether you are using your computer, tablet or smartphone.
What makes Pocket different from the others I looked at is that it lets you save content from over 300 apps–including Flipboard, Twitter, Pulse, and Zite. Another plus point is that users can filter video, image and text content.
Why use this app?
- Beautiful, easy to use interface
- Easily add content from your browser and access online or via hand held devices
- Add notes via hundreds of other apps including Twitter and Flipboard
- Email URLs to your Pocket app
- Saves a large range of web content including video
Readablitly
Readability started off as a simple, Javascript-based reading tool that turned any web page into a customizable reading view, back in early 2009. Since its release, Readability has been an instant hit, used by legions of readers today to make the web a more pleasant place to read.
What makes Readability different from the others is that you can easily send any content you want to read later straight to your Kindle, adding to the range of devices you can use while on the move.
Readability is also great for publishers and developers as it has the functionality to allow embedding of Readability buttons into your personal website of blog.
Why use this app?
- Clean, easy to use interface
- Easily add content from your browser and access online or via hand held devices
- Send content straight to your Kindle
- Search the web from within the mobile app and add articles to your list
- Read your saved items via other accounts such as Pulse
Instapaper
Instapaper was founded in 2008 by Marco Arment and had about 2 million users as of late 2011. It allows you to save web pages for later offline reading, optimized for readability on your iPhone or iPod touch's screen. It’s free to register and use online but is a paid mobile app.
If you are looking for something to read, the service now has a social layer that allows you to subscribe to stories shared by users you know or you can find new curated content from the likes of Longreads, Longform.org, and Instapaper’s own “Editor’s Picks”.
Why use this app?
- Browse articles that your friends post on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr, or browse the Editor's Picks
- Automatic sepia tint and Dark mode switching for sunset in your location (via the app)
- Dictionary and Wikipedia lookups
- Search the web from within the mobile app and add articles to your list
- Organise your saved items into folders
- Download content for your Kindle
And the winner is...
Now that I have tested out all three apps, I’d say my favourite is Readability. All have their unique selling points but the ability to easily send to Kindle has made it a winner for me.
Instapaper does also have this functionality but I found it a little harder to figure out, and I generally prefer the Readability interface.
Have you used these or any other reading apps? Let us know in the comments below.
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