Instapaper lets you create a library of online articles on your iPhone Oct 24
15 comments Latest by Social Media Marketing Blog
Hands down my fave iPhone app: Instapaper (created by Marco Arment).
Whenever I come across a long article online that looks interesting — Bill Simmons’ list of the best sports pieces ever written is where I started — I click Instapaper’s “Read Later” bookmarklet and then the app automatically stores it on my phone so I can read it later.
The offline storage makes it great for subway rides in NYC.
Left: List of saved articles on Instapaper’s iPhone app.
The app downloads a text-optimized version of each page which removes the need to zoom or horizontally pan. No more accidentally side-scrolling from a long text column.
Left: How a stripped down article looks onscreen.
Even the online version of the article list has a pleasant simplicity to it:
And the app’s creator plans to keep it that way:
Will you add (obscure feature)?
Probably not, sorry.
There are plenty of other sites that offer similar functionality but with thousands of additional features to satisfy every obscure desire. Instapaper is great because it’s so simple, and keeping it simple is the first priority.
If you read a lot of long pieces, it’s worth it to upgrade to the Pro version which remembers your position in articles so you can dive right back in if you leave one in the middle.
Any complaints? The tilt scrolling is a neat idea but in reality I rarely use it (requires too much precision). And one other annoying thing: If you accidently go from portrait to landscape mode on your iPhone, you lose your place in the article. But that’s minor nitpicking on an otherwise great product.
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15 comments so far
TJ 24 Oct 08
Completely agree—Instapaper is one of my favorite iPhone apps. I do disagree on one point though: I love tilt scrolling. I wish other content-oriented apps (NYTimes, Byline) had this feature. I agree, it does take some getting used to, but it’s great for the subway where you only have one had (holding on with the other). Think about it: usually, you’re blocking a good chunk of the screen with your figure, scrolling ever few seconds. Tilt scroll frees up the entire screen.
Two general iPhone nit-picks: 1. I don’t always want the app to change orientation (e.g. when lying in bed or on the couch) 2. I would love for Apple to open up a way for apps to sync in the background; this would be perfect for Instapaper and Byline (I’d even be OK if this was restricted to WiFi and even if it required the device to be plugged in)
Marco Arment 24 Oct 08
Thanks for the great praise, Matt!
That was a bug that’s fixed in the upcoming 1.3 update, due out in a few weeks. The Pro version of 1.3 also adds an option to disable rotation, as frequently requested by people who like to read sideways in bed.
I’ve improved tilt scrolling in 1.3 to have much smoother animation and be much easier on the CPU . I’m also tweaking the parameters slightly and adding support for tilt scrolling in landscape orientation. It may never be incredibly easy to use on an old, bumpy, jolting subway line, but it’s perfectly fine on smoother trains (I use it every day on Metro-North).
I intend to keep doing my best to practice many principles that 37signals has taught me. Thanks again.
nickd 24 Oct 08
Instapaper is one of my favorite apps as well. It’s pretty essential if you use public transit often: every time I see a long essay, I now think “this would be great to read on the el!” and add it.
Totally echo the portrait/landscape bug. I’ve lost my place in super-long articles pretty much every time this way. To the creator, above: it’s great to hear that this will be fixed!
ML 24 Oct 08
It may never be incredibly easy to use on an old, bumpy, jolting subway line, but it’s perfectly fine on smoother trains (I use it every day on Metro-North).
Fwiw, I’m able to use it but trying to follow the slowly scrolling text makes my head hurt. A tilt option (or button) that acted like a “Page Down” button would be more appealing to me.
Joe 24 Oct 08
YES ! Instapaper is hands down the most useful 3rd party app on my iPhone. So much so I haven’t watched any movies during my commute recently because I’m too busy catching up on the web pages I couldn’t read at work during the day.
I think it’s interesting that I use it mainly in the NYC subway too. I bet most of the users, or at least the people that find it most useful, use it on some sort of public transportation. I think the developer has a market cornered.
Also, it’s good to know an update is coming. Keep up the good work, Marco!
Jason 24 Oct 08
I actually much prefer Read It Later both for it’s lovely iPhone interface and strong integration with Firefox (sync!). It would be nice if it had Instapapers text optimization tool though.
Etan 24 Oct 08
Awesome idea!
When I used to have an older Windows phone without a good data plan, I’d actually create documents of articles in the morning (literally cutting and pasting into a doc). Then Just upload to the phone for public transit reading. I’m happy those days are over!
I would however like some way around articles that INSIST on making you click through multiple pages in order to read the content… no hack around that yet I assume?
(Yes I know some offer a “for print” version)
zephyr 24 Oct 08
I don’t ride the NY subway, but just being able to see an article text-optimized is a huge gain, wherever you are!
Anonymous Coward 24 Oct 08
Wait, so you’re saying that an offline feature IS a good thing to have… hmmmm :p Anyway, it does look like a great app. I think I’m gonna buy it!
George 24 Oct 08
For the longest time, I’ve kept a “readmelater” section in my bookmarks. Instapaper gives me the opportunity to actually get through those articles, rather than leaving them in that unvisited graveyard. I love it. Along with a great new podcast I found the other day, it leaves me wishing I actually had a commute rather than a bike ride into work.
patrick 24 Oct 08
Love this app!!!! I’ve been using the web app for about 6 months, recently purchased an iPod touch, read articles everyday on the train to school. Thanks Marco!
anon 24 Oct 08
This is a great app for your laptop and your iPhone/iPod touch. I was in Chicago last weekend and when my wife dragged up and down Michigan Ave. shopping, I was able to read a ton of articles I had been saving.
BackPocket 26 Oct 08
I love instapaper also. It’s perfect for any down-time away from the Macbook.
However, I get the feeling that you’re quickly going to have a new favorite iPhone app. Check out http://backpocketapp.com, the first full-fledged iPhone app for Backpack. We’re currently waiting for approval.
Kelsey 26 Oct 08
This is half the reason I bought an iPod touch in the first place, and the reason I charge it every day! I use it on the bus and on the couch and in bed before sleeping.
Social Media Marketing Blog 29 Oct 08
wow, very handy and useful tool…
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