Abandoned Gem app
It’s been my favorite app I used to use for years. But it’s been long abandoned for 2 years now since last update. Sad to see you go bud.
Cute RSS reader in every way
First, otter. Win. Second, it's just really small - a fraction of the size of many other RSS readers, but it's still got a lot of functionality.
The macOS application is a Catalyst port with some rough edges around things like settings, but you wouldn't really know that when using the main application window for day-to-day tasks and I understand that the dev probably doesn't want to spend too much time on a comparative minority platform vs iOS.
All in all, this is great. Small and fast (despite the Catalyst underpinnings) with decent RSS support and a few little bells and whistles that are all I need. Can't argue with the donationware price, either!
The macOS application is a Catalyst port with some rough edges around things like settings, but you wouldn't really know that when using the main application window for day-to-day tasks and I understand that the dev probably doesn't want to spend too much time on a comparative minority platform vs iOS.
All in all, this is great. Small and fast (despite the Catalyst underpinnings) with decent RSS support and a few little bells and whistles that are all I need. Can't argue with the donationware price, either!
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More than an 'okay minimalistic app'
Really clean design best RSS reader I've ever used
Only shows a couple of entries
Like another review states as well : it only shows a small number of entries before the list goes blank. This is on ios16.5. It's a shame because it looks to be a brilliant little reader. I hope this issue gets addressed soon.
An absolute pleasure to use
It works so well. Simple, clean, free & doesn’t bother me with adverts or suggested upgrades or anything like that. I open it, it does what I want it to well and then I close it when I’m done.
Version 1.3.0: OK reader app how to make it better
NOTE: This review is about the free version.
PROS:
It’s a very simple app, without all the bloated features (like Smart Folders) that I’ve seen in other RSS readers.
Support for dark mode, which is easier on the eyes.
Regular updates to squash bugs and improve the app.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
Add a search-bar to find articles.
When clicking on a feed/article to read it, you have to click on the text - that can be difficult if the feed/article has short text. Make it so that you just have to click in the box that the feed/article is in.
The “Settings” option is buried within the Feeds tab - put it in the Otter RSS menu.
The “Import Feeds…” and “Export Feeds…” options are buried within Settings - put them in the File menu, and put them in the Help menu.
File-New opens up a new window - it should open up the option to add a feed instead. The option to open a new window should be in the Window menu.
Add the option to open links in the browser, instead of in the app.
Change “Mark/Unmark as Favorite” to “Star/Unstar” - this makes more sense with the Star icon.
Add a “Refresh feeds” button, or add a “Refresh feeds” option to the File menu.
CONCLUSION:
An OK RSS app, with plenty of room for improvement.
If you liked this review, please mark it as “helpful.”
PROS:
It’s a very simple app, without all the bloated features (like Smart Folders) that I’ve seen in other RSS readers.
Support for dark mode, which is easier on the eyes.
Regular updates to squash bugs and improve the app.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
Add a search-bar to find articles.
When clicking on a feed/article to read it, you have to click on the text - that can be difficult if the feed/article has short text. Make it so that you just have to click in the box that the feed/article is in.
The “Settings” option is buried within the Feeds tab - put it in the Otter RSS menu.
The “Import Feeds…” and “Export Feeds…” options are buried within Settings - put them in the File menu, and put them in the Help menu.
File-New opens up a new window - it should open up the option to add a feed instead. The option to open a new window should be in the Window menu.
Add the option to open links in the browser, instead of in the app.
Change “Mark/Unmark as Favorite” to “Star/Unstar” - this makes more sense with the Star icon.
Add a “Refresh feeds” button, or add a “Refresh feeds” option to the File menu.
CONCLUSION:
An OK RSS app, with plenty of room for improvement.
If you liked this review, please mark it as “helpful.”
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Clean and looks nice but only shows a few items
iOS 16.2
For some reason I’m only seeing 6 or 7 entries per feed as you then get lots of empty entries. They are clickable but the items are blank.
For some reason I’m only seeing 6 or 7 entries per feed as you then get lots of empty entries. They are clickable but the items are blank.
simply fails
no way to refresh initial feeds.
Broken by iOS 16
It worked perfectly for me until I upgraded to iOS 16. Now the list of stories has blank slots in it. You can tap those blank spots and get to the articles that are supposed to be listed but obviously this is not ideal.
I don’t know if it’s the fault of Apple or if Jason is using some funky custom list control that was marginal and just broke. I really appreciate the work Jason has put into the app.
I don’t know if it’s the fault of Apple or if Jason is using some funky custom list control that was marginal and just broke. I really appreciate the work Jason has put into the app.
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Doesn’t work
It seemed great importing my opml file and making its first pass when I bought it. That was the only time it worked. Nothing refreshes, nothing updates since. After a week I give up.
