App Update – Newsstand; Almost Perfect

By
On January 3, 2009

There is no question that we most innovative RSS reader currently available in the act store is newsstand. It’s a full featured RSS reader whose interface is different than any other currently available. While you can use it as a standard linear newsreader, when you turn it to landscape it actually transforms itself into a newsstand which you can then flick through as if looking through a shelf of newspapers or magazines.

Newsstand takes the experience of quickly accessing your feeds and reading them from utilitarian to enjoyable. More than anything else it stands out because it actually makes use of the iPhone’s innovative interface. It has a terrific set of standard features such as — automatic feed discovery, integration with Google blog search, the ability to organize your feeds into folders, and integrated browser for reading full items within the app itself and the ability to share articles via e-mail or delicious.com. And the interface adds so much to the experience of using it.

While this is all well and good, though, the app was removed from iPhone after my initial review for one specific reason —

I use Google reader for my feeds and any RSS reader that doesn’t integrate with Google Reader is of limited use to me no matter how innovative were easy to use it might be.

Well, a recent update brings some welcome changes. Among them…

– Import from Google Reader
– Feed search now uses Google instead of Bloglines
– Faster refresh for feeds without changes
– Option to disable auto rotation
– Option not to show the unread articles badge on the icon

One addition is left that will make Newsstand an absolute homerun… syncing with Google Reader. While importing from GR is nice, syncing with it… AWESOME!

Newstand is $4.99 in the App Store. You can get it HERE.