Android – Iphone – Applications

NetNewsWire operates in conjunction with Google Reader, a website that allows you to compile a list of RSS feeds into one simple list. This application pulls the unread content from Google Reader and provides it in a simplistic way.

The design of NetNewsWire is really, really simple (like RSS itself). The front page provides starred items, a list of feeds and all of your unread news. Here lies the first point of confusion. NetNewsWire says that this latest news is all in the past twenty-four hours, but this isn’t the case – it was every unread item. Of course this is preferable, but I don’t understand how a deceiving error on the front page could go unnoticed.

One neat feature that no other Google Reader application I’ve tested has is the ability to hide feeds. This is an easy way to filter your feed without actually removing the feeds itself, something that makes looking for specific news a lot easier.

The article directory is clean, with approximately four articles visible without the need to scroll. The only button on screen is “Mark All as Read”. Articles themselves are equally plain, but disappointingly there is no built-in browser, meaning every time you want to read an article in full the application closes and Safari opens. Integration for Instapaper (to read later) and Twitter (to share) is provided.

There are other problems. Most notably, you can’t see your read items – your feed is limited to unread only. There’s no search either, a limitation that a number of NetNewsWire’s rivals also suffer from. With no icon badge for the home screen, you won’t know how many unread articles you have until you open up the application.

Overall, NetNewsWire feels unfinished in comparison to its rivals like Byline and Reeder. Until its current problems are resolved, I’d try an alternative.

[ NetNewsWire Premium Review is a post from 148Apps ]

Popularity: 1% [?]

written by gunturbabu \\ tags: $4.99, Application, feeds, google-reader, netnewswire, newsreader, overall-rating, premium-review, price, technologies, understand-how, unread

Weber’s On The Grill App is a collection of recipes to make that grilling season one to remember. It has a little bit of everything, from poultry to meat, vegetables to dessert, there’s something for all people, regardless of diet. It’s polished design and easy user interface make it a joy to have as a companion at the grill. Unfortunately, its price is a major stopping point, as most if not all of this information is available for free online.

Weber’s app provides various tabs along the bottom of the app, providing helpful hints on techniques, proper grilling times, a useful grill timer, and a grocery list that can be updated by adding recipes straight to the list. This list can then by emailed out, if you need a family member to pick something up on the way home. A search feature and daily tip round out the off-line feature list. Having an internet connection expands the available feature list to movies and images that assist in the grilling experience.

Depending on how you feel about the added features available to the iDevice version of Weber’s database, including portable grocery list and timer, you might find the $4.99 to be a justifiable price. With the full list of recipes available online for free, with instructions, it’s a tough sell if those features aren’t important for you. At $0.99 or $1.99, it’s a strong recommendation from me, at $4.99 it’s a little more difficult to swallow.

[ Weber’s On The Grill Review is a post from 148Apps ]

Popularity: unranked [?]

written by janyton \\ tags: $4.99, grill, grilling, iphone apps and games, list, overall-rating, polished-design, proper-grilling, rating