Ask Engadget: Best mobile RSS readers?

It's Thursday evening, which means that once again it's time for Ask Engadget. Last week Bennington P. wanted some advice on selecting a wearable display, this time around reader Joseph R. wants the low down on mobile RSS readers:

I know I'm really late to the game, but I just discovered RSS a few months ago and it's completely changed my life, and I was wondering if Engadget readers had tried any of the mobile RSS readers that are out there. I'm thinking about getting a new phone, and since being able to read RSS feeds on my phone would be a huge bonus, I'd like to find out what my options are. Thanks!

Alright, you heard 'em, any suggestions?

[Enrivo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I'm using WildPalm's Headline for Symbian series 60 phones.
It's fast, it's light and it works great on my Nokia 6630. It can display really small fonts on the phone, so you can read a lot of text without having to scroll every 2 or 3 lines.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Check out Egress (http://www.garishkernels.net/egress.html) I love it. I use it every day, and it already has support for downloading enclosures (podcasts and vidcasts).

[~Angel~ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

You can try out FreeNews or Bloglines has a mobile version link on their site.

[~Angel~ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Brian,

I am a huge fan of Egress as well..use it everyday on my Dell Axim.

[jj @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

i use quicknews it's for Palm OS if the TREO 650 is on your wish list, it has the added bonus of support PodCasts so you can listen to the Engadget team while reading their feeds ;z)

http://standalone.com/palmos/quick_news/




http://alpha-technica.org

[Clinical Cases @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Mobile Bloglines is the best. Easy, fast and the size of the font is just right for a PDA screen.

http://bloglines.com/mobile

[Cooper @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I like Lektora alot. Intergrated into Firefox or IE, it can automatically suscribe to feeds and even plain on web pages. There is also a cool Google Desktop plugin that allows you to search through news stories.
Lektora!

[Cooper @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

ooops sorry. didn't relize it was for mobile.

[Brad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I believe Avantgo is a similar service for news content.

[Josh Bancroft @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Bloglines Mobile:

http://www.bloglines.com/mobile

It wins hands down for me, for several reasons:

1. I use Bloglines as my main aggregator for 500+ feeds. Bloglines mobile lets me access them, and keeps my read state in sync.

2. Browser based - no need to install anything. If your mobile device (Treo, Smartphone, Blackberry, etc.) has a web browser, it will work. No compatibility worries.

3. RSS feeds flow/format to fit the small screen perfectly. No horizontal scrolling.

[baralong @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

A second vote for bloglines. I've been using it as my RSS reader for a few months now. Big advantages:
1) works on every browser I've tried (very nice in pocket IE)
2) a single aggregating source, I'd been frustrated with having 3 rss readers (work home mobile), all out of sync, none knowing which posts I'd read on a different reader

That sounded like a cheesy add, but it's really that good.

I used to use Avantgo and found it painfull to bother with

[Jason Meyer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use PocketRSS for the PocketPC, it's a little buggy but does really well at downloading the whole site linked to in news feeds and caching it.

Good podcasting support as well.

http://www.happyjackroad.net/pocketpc/pocketRSS/pocketRSS.asp

[Joel Johnson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Anything specifically for PocketPC? Preferably something that can download feeds while I am online to view later while I am off line.

[Azizi Jennis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use Bloglines Mobile as well. The interface is simple and consistent, and it remembers my history so I can switch back and forth between my desktop and my Treo.

[Michael Buckbee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I got to meet the LiteFeeds guys at Gnomedex and they have a very cool product specifically for RSS Mobile usage (JavaPhone, Palm, Blackberry and PocketPC).

They have a complimentary browser based FeedReader as well that is very slick.

http://www.litefeeds.com

[Joseph Rennert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

A bit off-topic but does anyone know a way to post to Blogger from a Sidekick? Thanks.

[ccrook @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use fusd for smartphone. It's a little buggy but it works fairly well on my Audiovox SMT-5600

[Mike Corley @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Joseph Rennert:

you can always post to blogger via e-mail.

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=135

More on topic, I give another vote for Bloglines, for consistency between browsers

[m @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

i'm a big fan of feeder reader ( www.FeederReader.com ) It's fully customizeable & also grabs enclosures. you can also run it from a card.

[scubanut @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Sharpreader : best one around, no crazy menus or unnecessary icons, great taskbar aleerts, just functionality !!!

http://www.sharpreader.com/

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use mobipocket on my smartphone. It works on most pdas. There are many optimized sites for it already like engadget! You can also download mobipocket creator and "create" websites for your phone. I use it sometimes. I just click on an xml link after entering the creator, highlight some stuff and walla your finished. You can also convert a normal website to your pda and sync it everyday.

[John Suttle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I downloaded FreeNews onto my Treo a month ago after trying about 5 others. I liked it so much I put it on my wife's Blackberry, and it's even faster than on my Treo. Bottom line, this is the best out there by far--wicked fast and packed full of functionality, so user friendly. The web site is http://freerangeinc.com/

[John Suttle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

PS--skip any and all WAP based readers liked Bloglines or Newsgator, because the download times will kill you!

[John Walker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

If you use a Windows Smartphone, then definitely check out Newsbreak from Ilium software. It's a native app, so I like it better than Bloglines which is browser-based. I've been using it for a couple of months now and it was well worth the price.

http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/nw/newsbreak.htm

[ZSX @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

My news readers are Mobipocket and AvantGo. Mobipocket especially has the really great "scroll" function so the page moves like a teleprompter, minimizing button presses. There are about 800+ sites which Mobipocket watches, although apparantly John (#20) says you can add your own with Mobipocket creator.

And it is "voila!" not "walla!" ;-)

[John Goodall @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Check out http://www.litefeeds.com

They provide a custom mobile RSS reader for any Java phone, Blackberry, Palm or PocketPC that synchronizes with your online subscriptions.
Just import your OPML to the website and choose which feeds you want mobile enabled. All configuration (adding,organizing etc) is done online so you never have to type anything on your mobile device. Just scan and click your feeds on your mobile with ease.

Feeds are cached, compressed, and stripped so that they are mobile optimized. They have features such as: viewing full text articles (not just RSS), viewing Flickr/Buzznet images, and the ability to clip articles to your online clipboard and share it as an RSS feed.

And best of all its FREE

http://www.litefeeds.com

[Paul Kenjerski @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

my.yahoo.com

[Kate @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

(I'm on Symbian series 60 w/ J2ME v. 1.)

I liked Headline (http://www.wildpalm.co.uk/HeadLine.html) a lot, but I couldn't get it to work with my current provider's crippled connection (limited/proxied :80 or :8080). (If anyone knows a workaround for that, I'd be very interested...)

I did a lot of experimenting w/ java readers that wouldn't work on my phone (RSSReader, litefeeds -- don't know if it's the connection or my version 1 java).

FreeNews (http://www.freerangeinc.com/) is the replacement I came up with, and it connects flawlessly. I've been very happy with it--it's a good-looking java app with very easy navigation between items.

[Al @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

pocketRSS on my Axim x50v, because I like the info cycling thru on my Today screen. Cost me less than $10.

[Dave Golden @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I agree, FreeNews is very good and I quickly purchased it and have had no regrets.

[M Freitas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Newsbreak is a great reader for Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone. It's available from Handango, but we have a free NewsBreak Lite (5 feeds limit, no expire date) version available at http://www.geekzone.co.nz/newsbreak.asp if you want to try it out.

[Dave Golden @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I agree, FreeNews is the best. I tried the program and quickly purchased it. For the Treo it has great one-handed navigation support and superior download speeds.

[Bernie Goldbach @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I also recommend www.litefeeds.com because it provides me the least expensive mobile feed reader. I spend no more than one cent for every blog site that I read with LiteFeeds on my Nokia 9500. It's easy to set up and use and the web-based clipping service is handy.

[Ed Witten @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I am currently using

http://www.litefeeds.com

and I am very happy with it. Started scanning mobile feeds on my commute and waiting in line etc... now I perfer it for all my scanning.

Litefeeds mobile is fast and simple and all config is done online. The full text and photo features are pretty neat. Also provide a very clean and fast online reader similar to Bloglines, but I find LiteFeeds is simpler and quicker.

[Pureblue @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I've been using PocketRSS for months on my Pocket PC. Combined with wifi and a 1GB SD card you've got a great mobile unit that downloads RSS feeds and podcasts without being tied down to a computer.

[Robert Nelson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use Quick News on my Treo 650

http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&prodID=93767

[~Angel~ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

#13 - If you're looking for something for the PPC, I'd recommend either Pocket Egress or Newsbreak...PocketRSS is also a fine program as well. I used Pocket Egress and Newsbreak extensively during the trial and went with Pocket Egress.

[AG @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Will any of these types of programs work with a Symbian-based phone like a P910i? Or am I out of luck ?
As with a few people, this is also very new to me.

=)

[Andrew Turner @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use FeedOnFeeds, a very simple, but incredibly useful, web-based RSS reader/aggregator. I can then my feeds from any location via a web-browser and also via my Nokia web-browser.

Being open-source & php, it's also highly hackable - which is an obvious boon.

[Michael Smith @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I use Newsgator on my Desktop, Pocket PC, and Smartphone. It works great in all those environments and they've also got a tool for organizing rss feeds in outlook. They also have a couple of other tools(a podcast download tool that is ok but not anywhere close to ipodder lemon and something called feedburner) you can download. I've tried alot of different rss readers and Newsgator does everything I want an rss reader to do.

[Greg Smith @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

FeederReader works on Windows Mobile for the Pocket PC and will download all types of enclosures, handles file management for you and includes a special Enclosure Toolbar allowing you to catch up on news while listening and controlling podcasts. I use it to download 60-100Mbytes of podcasts per day over my cell phone as well as reading the latest news, blogs, and other entertainment and information. Recently reviewed by Ed Hardy (Editor-in-Chief of Brighthand.com) and called the "best...so far" for downloading podcasts directly to a Pocket PC. http://www.brighthand.com/article/FeederReader_Review

Greg Smith
Author, FeederReader - Pocket PC *direct* RSS text, audio, video, podcasts
http://www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road

[Adam Voigt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I definetly think mNews is the best for my Treo 650. Have tried many others. Give it a shot: http://www.motionapps.com/products.jsp?mnews

[mpx220User @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

If you are using a Microsoft Mobile Smartphone, try BeetzStream SmartRss at http://www.BeetzStream.com. The best part of it is it does podcasts, you can download and play podcasts in the Rss feeds on your phone.

[John Fulton @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I vote for http://www.litefeeds.com


Hands down the best. Free, very quick, compressed so almost no data cost, and simple.
First complete solution Ive found. Online reader + custom mobile reader.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Another vote here for mobile bloglines. I've been reading them on my Treo 600 for a couple months now, and it's great!

[Eufreka! @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I appreciate the question, because I have tried many solutions, yet have found 2 new possibilities in these comments.

Lately, however, I have been totally sold on bloglines for both desktop and mobile because the most important thing is sync state. And the more news you monitor, the more important it becomes.

I am doomed when the inevitable fees start, because I am truly addicted...

Oh, mobile means my Treo 650. Though I am on Sprint, so I am just foaming at the mouth waiting for the first EV-DO Mobile 2005 device!

[Eufreka! @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I appreciate the question, because I have tried many solutions, yet have found 2 new possibilities in these comments.

Lately, however, I have been totally sold on bloglines for both desktop and mobile because the most important thing is sync state. And the more news you monitor, the more important it becomes.

I am doomed when the inevitable fees start, because I am truly addicted...

Oh, mobile means my Treo 650. Though I am on Sprint, so I am just foaming at the mouth waiting for the first EV-DO Mobile 2005 device!

[Darcy Maguire @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

I am now using http://www.litefeeds.com


Bloglines mobile is ok but WAP is pretty lame and limited in features. The good thing about Litefeeds is I can view Flickr images and get the full text article of any web page .... something that you can't do with Bloglines.

[Sam Arbiji @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

oh litefeeds.. yeah, I used litefeeds on my pocket pc and blackberry. Its very fast.

Especially their buzznet image service, which is wickied. Serveral of my friends usually take photos from their cellphone cameras and upload to buzznet accounts.

After a while, I can see their image posting on my devices.

I like it. If you have Pocket PC and Blackberry, I highly recommend you try it out.

[MItzEclipse @ Dec 19th 2005 12:17AM]

Anyone able to get to http://www.bloglines.com/mobile
via their SMT5600 / T-Mobile USA? I can't seem to reach it, says request could not be fullfilled.