I have long been on the search for the “perfect” iPhone RSS reader. Over time a few specifics have become clear. At least for me…
-it needs to sync with Google Reader
-it needs to be fast
-it needs to have offline access
–it needs to have the “Next Post” button on the bottom where is it easily accessible.

Tonight I may just have found the RSS Reader of my dreams… Feeds.

Feeds had been a decent but unamazing RSS reader. Sure it synced with Google Reader and offered offline access but… so do lots of RSS readers! And it let me choose whether to go by each individual feed or look at all new posts in all feeds but… so do lots of RSS readers!

Today’s update, however, added some terrific features that make Feeds rather impressive.

First- ergonomics.
I have long noted my criticism of ANY RSS reader that places the “Next” button on the top of the screen. It is just the wrong place for the button- especially when there are SO MANY feeds to move through. Feeds had the button wrong before. Now it is perfect- center bottom! AND… you can now use “swiping” to navigate. (Swipe to the left to add a star, swipe to the right to mark a post as read or unread.) It is convenient and fast for moving through large lists

Second- it is fast.
A good RSS reader needs to sync quickly for it to be truly useable. After tonight’s update Feeds is FAST!

Third- it adds tagging!
I love using Gmail in large part because of its tagging feature. Tagging lets me access information the way I want in a non-linear manner! I now use tagging in my email, my task management (Toodledo), my notes (Evernote) and now… thanks to Feeds… RSS feeds. Love it!

Finally- Instapaper integration
This is just huge! Instapaper is one of the best tools for someone who uses the iPhone/Touch as a reading device. This simple app lets me grab webpages, save them for later access and read then in a clear, resizable format that is a pleasure to use. The inclusion of the Instapaper feature for saving and later accessing RSS feeds is HUGE and IN AND OF ITSELF would be reason alone to use Feeds! IMO

In all, this update is superb and makes Feeds a great choice in iPhone RSS readers that costs just $2.99!

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Related posts:

1. Question of the Day: How many RSS feeds do you subscribe to?
2. RSS Reader Roundup @ Modern Nomads
3. NewsMix – Free RSS Reader for Windows Mobile from DeveloperOne
4. YomoMedia, a new breed of Mobile RSS Reader!
5. Google Reader