Pocket (formerly Read It Later Pro), Save Webages for Later Reading – Even Offline
by Paul Wilks
May 18, 2011 4:02 PM –
Install
Pocket (formerly Read It Later Pro) lets you save webpages to read later, even without an Internet connection. If you like to keep up to date with the latest news: whether it be Android news, politics, sports, entertainment or perhaps the latest blog by that guy that does that thing… or web page, then Pocket might just be your thing. Pocket allows you to save web pages for reading later within the application. It’s an app that iPhone users have enjoyed for some time and has recently become available for Android. Obviously it is a paid application- there is no ‘lite’ version to get your teeth stuck into first, but if you read a lot on your phone, Pocket doesn’t disappoint.
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC Desire HD, HTC One X
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Compiles all the web pages you want to read into one simple reader!
- Allows you to read offline!
- Has support in browsers via add-ons such as Chrome or Firefox, plus easy to use within Android browsers such as Dolphin Browser HD and stock Android!
- If you have to stop reading mid-way through an article, Pocket remembers where you read up to!
- Smooth, polished interface, now styled with the Ice Cream Sandwich theme!
- Multiple organisational options; tagging, etc, making it easy to search!
- Adjustable viewing settings: font, size, and alignment!
- Also has a web version you can sign up for!
- Lots of online support should you need it!
Cons
- This isn’t really a negative but you must remember this isn’t like an RSS feed, so Pocket doesn’t aggregate the news for you like Google Reader does. That said, you can save Google Reader articles to Pocket for saving or reading at a later time.
Features:
This is an updated review of Read It Later, now called Pocket. Such is the rejuvenation job Read It Later has undergone, the review has had to follow suit. Form here on it, the name of the app is Pocket. It has pretty much all the same functionality, but with a slicker and more modern looking user interface- heavily inspired by the Ice Cream Sandwich ‘Holo’ look.
In a nutshell the changes include:
- Name change- ‘Read It Later’ to ‘Pocket’
- Completely new design and smoother, faster interface
- Content filter
- Better search functionality
- Can now be saved to SD card
Pocket (formerly Read It Later) puts you in control of what you read and where. Ever had to leave an article you were reading because something interrupted you? Perhaps you like to read the news in other locations other than in front of your computer. Maybe you do not always get great signal for reading news directly through your phone browser. Perhaps there is something you want to read but just don’t have time. There are lots of scenarios where Pocket comes in useful. What I tend to do is flick through my favourite news sites in the morning, and if something looks interesting I’ll add it to Pocket via a useful browser tab (I use the official Pocket one, but you can also use ChromeItLater and a few others). Then I have all the articles I want to read for the day right in my pocket.
The reader itself is really nice. Rendered beautifully, clean, fast and smooth to use, with a ICS design and fast responsive transitions. The text is vibrant and you can tell the developers have spent a lot of time making the application user friendly.
Pocket also lets you tag articles for organisational purposes. Additionally read articles can be archived, a really good feature that stores all your read articles in case you need to go back to them. With the new and improved searched feature, locating articles you have saved- even if you have a large library of collected content, is really easy.
Watch on Mobile
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Pocket – Home menu
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Pocket – In-view menu
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Pocket – In-story view
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Pocket – In-story view 3
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Pocket – Saved stories view
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Pocket – Switch to web view
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Pocket – Night view
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Pocket – Share options
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Pocket – Media select menu
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Pocket – Settings 1
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Pocket – Settings 2
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Pocket – Settings 3
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ReadItLater Pro Main Screen
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ReadItLater Pro Reading List
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ReadItLater Pro Current Reading
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ReadItLater Pro Reader
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ReadItLater Pro Reader2
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ReadItLater Pro Full Webpage Option
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ReadItLater Pro Reader Options
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ReadItLater Pro Sharing Options
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ReadItLater Pro Data Settings
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ReadItLater Pro Archived Articles
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ReadItLater Pro Add Pages
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ReadItLater Pro Add Pages2
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ReadItLater Pro Account Settings
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ReadItLater Pro Help
Usefulness:
Incredibly useful for people who read and keep up-to-date with news. I am a bit of a literature buff and lots of short stories are available online. I can easily put them into Pocket and read them wherever I like from my phone. Sometimes I really get into an article before realising it’s actually going to take far longer to read than I have available. I can quickly submit it to Pocket and carry on reading when I have time.
Ease of Use:
The application is extremely intuitive and simple to use. The screens are responsive, fast and straight forward to use.
Frequently Used:
If you read a lot of news online, this app is an essential. I like to keep up to date with what’s going on in the Android world, in addition to news, politics, sports and various blogs. When I haven’t got time to read it there-and-then, I throw everything into Pocket and know I can read it when it is more convenient for me. It really embraces all different kinds of content too; text web, videos and more. Pretty much anything you find online can be sent to Pocket.
Interface:
The UI is stunning. Gorgeously rendered and bright. As I have mentioned, a lot of thought seems to have gone into the app and it really shows. Now updated to endorse a real Google ICS feel, the UI is better than ever.
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Holo,
Ice Cream Sandwich,
News,
Pocket,
Read It Later,
Read It Later Pro
Categorised in: Books & Reference, Lifestyle, News & Weather
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