The Early Edition (Glasshouse Apps $4.99)
This is not a universal app and is designed ONLY for the iPad. Another news reader for the iPad, but in the case of The Early Edition, this is the app that I find myself using more than any other news app. It isn’t free, but sometimes having the right app is worth the cost. This is definitely the right app for me and so therefore it is definitely worth the cost. I searched around trying out several apps, and since getting this app I have tried others. This one is the app that I enjoy using the most when reading my news. I really like how things are presented to me and how well everything works. The format is exactly what I’d be looking for from a news app on the iPad.
It really isn’t that much different from any other news app, they are all only as good as the news they provide. For me it is all about how the information is provided. It feels like I am reading a real newspaper when I use this app. I get to see an over-all view, page by page, of all the news to which I have subscribed. The app has a beautiful look to it, well designed, and well thought out on how it is presented. The developers of the app are very responsive to questions about the app and they are honest in their responses. One of my first experiences with this group was when the app was first recommended to me by a friend, I contacted the developers to ask if it had the features I was looking for. They responded quickly and truthfully even though the answer was not exactly what I was looking for, they didn’t lie to me or try to hide it.
Again, is it worth the cost? Well that’s going to come down to whether or not the features are what you are looking for. As far as my experience with the app, it has been nothing but positive. The app works, and works well. The few times I have had any issues with it, I have been able to contact the developers and they have done a great job of fixing the issues quickly. It may not be for you, but I will tell you a few things about the app that make it worth it or me. Most of the features are pretty standard for this type of app, but I think what makes this app work is how the information is presented.
FEATURES:
- Categorize all of your feeds into folders or categories that you name.
- Add additional individual feeds by address.
- View all of your articles in a newspaper format, including photos. View 10 Articles per page.
- Easily “swipe” between pages to view the next set of 10 articles.
- While viewing the main pages, each article’s text is scroll able without leaving the page.
- Click on an article to view the entire article or view the webpage.
- While viewing the article or webpage, “swipe” left or right to move between articles.
- Swiping provides a nice animation to simulate a page turn.
- Save your favorite articles for later using Instapaper or your favorite article saving service.
- Post individual articles to Facebook or Twitter.
- The app automatically shortens URLs before posting to Twitter using the bit.ly URL shortening service.
- View in Landscape or Portrait mode each mode providing a unique experience.
- Choose between several filters for the articles you’ll view including individual feeds or who categories and the last fetch, all from today or all articles.
- View previous ‘editions’ that are archived by date.
- Delete past editions to speed up the app (when you are done with them).
- An internet connection is not required to read the articles. Fetch your articles before leaving the house then read them on your way. Images and webpages of course require an internet connection but the text will be available to you.
- Update individual feeds or all of them at once.
Like i mentioned earlier, the features are all very similar to any other app in its class, but waht makes this app unique is how you use it. It feels to me like sitting at the breakfast table, drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning paper is no different when reading it using this app. Add that together with the great developers and the wonderful job they have done with this app and you have yourself a winner. The only thing I find with this app that I wish they had is two way syncing with Google Reader. Unfortunately no app is perfect, but this one comes close. Please take a look at the screenshots below to see more about how it looks and works.
