Byline RSS feed reader iPhone app has been around for a long time. I have tried a few feed reader iPhone apps like Mobile RSS, NetNewsWire with Google Reader sync. But, everyone of them felt short and I’d just end up going back to the mobile version of Google Reader.
Until I came across Reeder – a new Google Reader sync iPhone app and have been happily using it since.
Now, when Byline 2.0 was approved in the App Store, the list of updates to the app caught my attention. I contacted the app developer was given a review copy and here are my impressions on the app.
Byline 3.0 Features
You can read the full list of features offered by this excellent feed reader iPhone app at iTunes. I don’t want to repeat all that information. Instead, I will try to go over some of the features that make this a useful and places where it could use a little improvement.
Features
- 2-way Google Reader sync – feeds, folders, starred items and notes
- Integration with Twitter, Instapaper and Read it later
- Offline browsing
- Automatic caching
- Built-in web browser
- Landscape mode
Now, I will try to highlight a few things about the app as I observed it
Interface
Byline has a gorgeously designed interface. It is clean and not so bland and has some nice transition effects while swiping or when the feeds or updating. Works great in portrait as well as landscape mode. The star icons are easy to access. A pleasure to read the feed content on.
You can swipe individual feed to left or right to star it or mark as read.
Settings
Settings section offer portrait mode lock so you can read in bed without holding the iPhone at weird angles. You can control sync manually. You can set a default start folder. You can set caching to work only on WiFi. You can turn images on/off. You can set up your Twitter, Instapaper or Read It Later accounts here.
Another great feature in this app for folks who travel a lot or those who have intermittent data connection is the offline mode caching. You can choose to cache everything or certain folders. The app also does automatic caching based on your feed reading habits. It also continues caching with the screen locked as long as your battery is atleast half full.
The new update has brought fast feed sync and fast navigation with single swipe. You can easily browse to next or previous item in the feed with a sideways swipe.
Byline also shines in integration with social media and other services like Twitter, Instapaper & Read It Later. While it’s not perfect it’s a step in the right direction. Also, you can email the full feed content without leaving Byline.
You can also create and share notes for each feed item.
Needed Improvements
Now, I am going to go some of the improvements this app needs and where it falls short at the moment for me
- Landscape mode – lacks sharing features when you are in landscape mode. I share a lot of interesting items on Twitter and I like reading in landscape mode. So this is a glaring omission in my eyes. Also, it’s missing options to star it or mark as read, etc. Landscape mode is crippled right now in short.
- Mark all as read is hidden – In fact, you may think this option is missing but actually you can get to it by hitting Edit in the right top corner or swipe across the bottom status bar to get the ‘Mark all as read’ option. But, a tweet from the developer says this is getting fixed soon.
- Missing sort by feed – This feature went missing in the new version.
- Missing Mark item as unread – that says it all
- Share on Twitter improvement – While sharing via Twitter, you just get the url in the tweet window. Most apps automatically fill the title for the feed item as well.
- Facebook Integration – Ability to share links on Facebook would be much welcome too. And if it’s not too much to ask ability to post to Facebook Pages as well.
Byline 3.0 has undergone some major performance improvements and some nice UI changes. As a lot of existing Byline users have noted, the new version has also lost a few existing UI features.
I asked in Twitter for some Byline feedback from our group and here is what I received
Mark_L said
my single biggest gripe with Byline is having to use 2 taps to mark all read.
iPhonerssread said
1. Sweep gesture for Next Unread item or at a minimum a button like NetNewsWire 2. Removal of 1000 item limit for all RSS feeds
I am sure the developer has heard some of this already or has gotten a chance to read this now and quite possibly working on some of these improvements.
At the moment, Reeder seems to have an upper hand since it already has all the improvements plus a robust array of sharing features.
However, if you choose to purchase Byline, you are still getting a fast and robust RSS feed reader app with some incredible features listed above.
Screenshots
Byline Promo code giveaway
We have a couple of promo codes for Byline to giveaway. Here is how you enter.
You can do one of the following or all
- Leave a comment in this post (with a valid email address so I can email you the code)
- Tweet this message on Twitter
Retweet this for a chance to win Byline iPhone app ($3.99) from @TopiPhone http://bit.ly/94HaLc - Become a fan on TiR Facebook page and leave a comment there mentioning you want to win this app.
We will announce winners by May 18 5 PM. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Promo codes are mostly valid only in US iTunes Store.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Availability: App Store
Price: $4.99
