Did Apple develop an iPhone RSS reader?

This one's interesting: why is there an active URL at reader.mac.com which seems to semi-clearly depict an iPhone using a web RSS interface, and clearly states "This application can only be viewed using the iPhone"? We don't know. We tried spoofing the iPhone user agent to no avail, so it looks like we'll have to wait another couple of days before we find out whether Apple's rolled out a web RSS reader for mobile Safari users, or whether this is all just a big tease. But man, this might almost be as good as the RSS button on that Samsung phone.

[Thanks, Sean]

[Jesse S @ Jun 28th 2007 1:26AM]

How is this gadget news?

[Kyrra @ Jun 28th 2007 1:40AM]

Because it relates to a gadget that most of the tech community is following.

Since you don't seem interested in iPhone related news, I recommend you check out this article: http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/26/tired-of-all-the-iphone-news-yet/

[derek @ Jun 28th 2007 1:42AM]

Because it has to do with gadgets?

[Jesse S @ Jun 28th 2007 2:12AM]

Most of the tech community? You mean, mac fanboys and 14 year olds?

The iphone is pretty useless for any business use whatsoever...And I would think the "tech" community would want a smartphone that could at least use 3rd part applications.

I don't see how the "tech" community is following this device at all. The specs and features are laughable.

[supermeerkat @ Jun 28th 2007 4:08AM]

I want one coz it looks cool. Andy why not?

[supermeerkat @ Jun 28th 2007 4:08AM]

I want one coz it looks cool. And why not?

[Jesse S @ Jun 28th 2007 6:01AM]

Because I need a phone that actually has FUNCTIONALITY. I'll be picking up the xv6800 or i760 when they come to VZW.

[Jon @ Jun 28th 2007 6:42AM]

Did Apple develop an Iphone (insert missing feature) application?

[Justin @ Jun 28th 2007 3:43PM]

Jesse S. - What does business use have to do with anything on Engadget. Much of the stuff they cover has no business use. I didn't see you bitching in the underwater MP3 player thread. Maybe thats because you are just a hater with an axe to grind. Why do people keep talking about the iPhone not being a business phone. When did anyone ever say it was? Unless you have the IQ of a carrot, its pretty clear that it is consumer focused and at best views the business market and secondary or even tertiary to consumer use. In fact my view would be that Apple sought to avoid the nerdy characteristics associated with a work-only phone that you seem so keen on. Strange, you keen on something nerdy, imagine that.

[Josh @ Jun 28th 2007 1:00PM]

And yet here you are. Reading about the features on the IPhone and posting on a blog about it. Seems even YOU are following it. Would like to see you explain how you are here, posting. If you are not following it as well.

[drew @ Jun 28th 2007 2:20AM]

"useless for any business use"?

I am a person, not a business, so I'm more concerned with person use than business use, and while I don't by the hype either...I would hardly call the features laughable.

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 10:46AM]

Have u ever tried to edit a spreadsheet on a qwerty device with real keys, that's laughable trying to see the micro screen

[james cordero @ Jun 28th 2007 2:34AM]

and Jesse S will now present the phone that HE has designed........oh that's right, HE is laughable because he does not know how to build a friggin thing but he can make childish off the cuff remarks with the best of them. Jesse is what is laughable!

[Jesse S @ Jun 28th 2007 6:02AM]

Ok, so I can't say a movie sucks, because I have not made one. I can't say a 10 year old broken computer sucks, because I didn't design it's components. Wow.

[chris @ Jun 28th 2007 3:22AM]

Jobs keep saying over and over that it is a full version of Safari. Why would anyone be surprised if RSS was built right into, just like the full version on Mac and Windows. It's one of Safari's best features. They would never write a new one.

That's my bet: Safari has RSS reader built in.

[Karl @ Jun 28th 2007 3:32AM]

Did nobody else know this? What with all the hype, I didn't think you guys missed a single feature.

Jobs actually demoed this at macworld. He loaded up the NYT page, and safari showed the RSS button, and he selected it.

[Scott @ Jun 28th 2007 3:52AM]

Hey Ryan, after reading you saying "we'll have to wait another couple of days before we find out," I wondered what Engadget's plans for getting iPhone(s) was - sending out interns to wait, standing in the line yourself, or any sort of exclusive dealings you have with Apple. Understandable if you can't share that sort of info, but if you are following either of the first two means that I mentioned or any other that you CAN share, I'd be delighted to hear about it...

[jakob @ Jun 28th 2007 4:42AM]

Hi All,

Ahh, Safari has from day-one had a RSS reader build-in, so this can't be a surprice.

[cian @ Jun 28th 2007 5:30AM]

The picture of the iPhone on that site now does not have the RSS reader looking thing open.

[Justin @ Jun 28th 2007 3:46PM]

Now we are on to something. Conspiracy!!! Like a landlord installing a handrail AFTER someone falls down the stairs. They are guilty.

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 6:46AM]

FILL IN THE BLANK POST FOR EVERY i-PHONE HATER

Another iPhone post, every time I log onto engadget looking for __________, I have to wade through these dang posts. 

What a wast of money the iphone is. I can't believe it doesn't come with ______ feature. I use that all the time on my _____, and it is ridiculous that such a hyped phone wouldn't have it. 

All I know is I bought a _________ from ________ service provider. I cracked it open and added some lasers and flame thrower. I also taped a digital camera to the back. SO my phone can do everything the iPhone does for only $_____ dollars per month.

[tired-of-apple-fanboys @ Jun 28th 2007 7:16AM]

Don't forget the apple fanboy version: Steve 3:16
"Apple can do no wrong! The iPhone may not be able to ___ or ____ or ___ or ___ or___ or_____ or ____ or ____ but Jobs says it is five years ahead and I believe him! Oh ye of little faith wake up and smell salvation! WE have iTunes and it is easier to use than our own hands. We shall pay for every mp3 ringtone and every feature on the phone we already paid for because Steve knows ALL, and this is good! Do not fight it, you cannot win....you cannot resist the RDF!"

[Jon @ Jun 28th 2007 7:28AM]

How things progress within the Apple fanboy world:

Jan-May 2007

Fanboys (invading S60 and WM posts): The Iphone will be revolutionary. It is a phone, music player etc. etc. etc. It can do anything. It will have every features. Windows Mobile 64MB bloatware!!! LOL!

June 2007

Fanboys (after is became clear how feature-less the Iphone be): We don't need all these (features). It is a phone first. Give Apple time. etc. etc. etc. Mac OS 700MB super efficient!!!

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 7:46AM]

Wah, wah, wah. Apple released a killer product once again that will sell tons more than any Windoze or Palm device. For everything the iphone doesn't have, I can point out something that others don't have. I'm glad you love your "MY windows device can do 8000 things and none of them well phone" At the end of the day, the iPhone is unprecedented and blows any other smartphone out of the water and will only get better with time. Your only defense is to HATE on it because you own some piece of crap phone. You need to make yourself feel good. I think the Moto Q sucks, but I'm not posting about how I think it sucks to make me feel better about my Blackberry 8700 purchase. I have no desire to even go to a thread about it. All you haters are doing is showing how envious you are of the device that you are hating on. APPLE FANBOYS INCLUDED. If you are not buying an iPhone, why are you wasting your time even commenting about it? Why are you even looking at iPhone threads? I'm happy that you can bootleg a ringtone with your phone or send an MMS message. I rather send an email on my unlimited data plan instead of paying for text. Maybe if you did the same you'd be able to afford an iphone too.

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 7:53AM]

Oh yeah, No copy & Paste is DUMB. I wouldn't have even thought that it was not there. Still getting one though. That big ass screen is the money and I won't need some stupid stylus to touch some small font. This thing is a few upgrades away from being my dream device. Little better calendar, faster radio, IM, BT GPS support. It's closer to perfect than the last 15 pda's and smartphones that I have owned. No copy and paste is still dumb though. :(

[austin @ Jun 28th 2007 7:02AM]

I keep having this feeling that those 4 extra spaces on the home screen are going to be filled up by friday night.

[Gav @ Jun 28th 2007 7:40AM]

Fantastic Marketing.

Makes you feel that you NEED to buy the iPhone.

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 8:25AM]

All marketing is fantastic, Not just APPLE. We don't NEED to buy ANY ELECTRONICS. We only need food, water and shelter.

[Cesar Cardoso @ Jun 28th 2007 8:19AM]

HEY Ryan, the Apple online RSS reader (or any other reader used in the iPhone) is only 'as good as' the Samsung WiBro phone reader if you're on an Wi-Fi hotspot. For all the rest, WiBro eats our cellular networks for breakfast - if you're lucky enough to live in Seoul, that is.

[Gav @ Jun 28th 2007 9:07AM]

I know that George, and I most certainly will not be buying an iPhone.

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 10:29AM]

Great, that makes my chances of getting one, that much better. Help to convince more people that is sucks, It will totally help me out for my selfish needs.

[SiLo @ Jun 28th 2007 8:32AM]

While I do think the iPhone is pretty sexy, it does sadden me a bit to see some of those features not in it. I mean honestly.. my TI-89 has Copy&Paste... :(

[George @ Jun 28th 2007 10:35AM]

FILL IN THE BLANK POST FOR EVERY i-PHONE HATER

Another iPhone post, every time I log onto engadget looking for __________, I have to wade through these dang posts.

What a wast of money the iphone is. I can't believe it doesn't come with ______ feature. I use that all the time on my _____, and it is ridiculous that such a hyped phone wouldn't have it.

All I know is I bought a _________ from ________ service provider. I cracked it open and added some lasers and flame thrower. I also taped a digital camera to the back. SO my phone can do everything the iPhone does for only $_____ dollars per month.

[Michael @ Jun 28th 2007 8:34AM]

If you goto the site with iPhoney (http://www.marketcircle.com/iphoney/), and turn on the iPhone User Agent, then it just redirects you to http://www.apple.com/iphone/. I bet this will work on Friday, it will be interesting to see.

[Jeff @ Jun 28th 2007 8:51AM]

"I'm happy that you can bootleg a ringtone with your phone or send an MMS message."

It's called fair use, bub. Not really possible to "bootleg" a song you already paid for.

[Larry @ Jun 28th 2007 9:33AM]

Definitely, why wouldn't they?
Countdown timer
http://www.ministryoftech.com/2007/06/26/iphone-watch-less-than-one-week/

[Samuel McConnell @ Jun 28th 2007 9:55AM]

We need to figure out what Mobile Safari's useragent string is.

[monon @ Jun 28th 2007 9:56AM]

i think engadget is cheating with the votes

[schlomo @ Jun 28th 2007 10:53AM]

It seems to make perfect sense to me that they would put an RSS reader in Safari in the iPhone - they've been touting it as being the exact same as the Mac version. the only question this really begs is: what RSS feed would Apple possibly only want iPhone users to see?

[Darnell @ Jun 28th 2007 12:45PM]

Lol. As much as people hate this phone, it never fails that they troll EVERY Apple post. In fact, with the iPhone hype intensifying as of late, Apple-related posts seem to get the most responses. So love it or hate it--you're paying attention.

[Mike D @ Jun 28th 2007 7:15PM]

They changed the image of the phone on there ..

[Shiraz Kanga @ Jun 29th 2007 5:24AM]

Just use podLoadr! It's free at http://www.podloadr.com

[Shawin @ Jun 29th 2007 6:40AM]

It's just a web2.0 google-reader-like rss reader that you can use on the iphone exclusively...

[iphonr @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:26PM]

It's funny to read all of these comments. I will definitely be purchasing an iphone this weekend. Yes it is a lot of money, yes there are a few disappointments, yes I am probably a product of some spectacular marketing by His Stevenship. No this is not a perfect phone, but neither are any of our other choices. I own an HTC tytn, but I look forward to viewing movies on an widescreen ipod. The touch screen is amazing. resolution looks incredible. Coverflow. There are a lot of cool features offered on this phone not available anywhere else. Why the Hate? There are consumers that want something different than what's available and the iphone offers it. I just don't get the anti- Iphone hype. If you don't want one, I would suggest you don't get one. Agreed?

[Ken @ Sep 19th 2007 9:18AM]

Went to the page on my iphone, all i get is the following message:
"If you'd like to view an RSS feed, just enter the feed URL directly into Safari's address bar."