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Byline 2.0 update a huge improvement: adds tag support, mini browser

by Robert Palmer Oct 15th 2008 at 1:00PM

Phantom Fish yesterday updated Byline to version 2.0, adding functionality to browse by tag, and a spiffy new wood-grain interface.

I briefly reviewed Byline 1.0 in July, but wanted to re-visit the application after the update. Byline 2.0 is a Google Reader client and offline browser for the iPhone and iPod touch. After having used beta versions for the last few weeks, I can say with certainty that this update takes Byline head and shoulders above the first version.

Byline 2.0 is faster than both version 1.0 and Google Reader's MobileSafari-optimized interface. Articles are now grouped in folders according to tags you've already set up in Google Reader. You can mark whole folders of items as read, and save items to your phone by starring them. The app doesn't show a splash screen at startup, but instead a "blank" version of the interface, which gives the illusion that the app is hanging for a short period of time. As soon as the list of folders appears, however, loading items was zippy on my iPod touch (connected via WiFi, of course).

Also, Byline 2.0 now includes a built-in web browser (similar to the mini-Safari that's built into Twitterrific), which eliminates the need to quit Byline and launch MobileSafari when you click a link. You can now create and delete notes, too, which will automatically sync with Google Reader (along with all your other read and starred items).

Byline's new wood-finish interface might not appeal to everyone, but I think it looks spiffy. Byline's icon also got a facelift that brings it in line with the texture of the rest of the app.

I found periodically with Byline 1.x, I would use Google Reader's MobileSafari interface, if only to read items in a particular folder. I'm pleased to say that since I installed the beta that Phantom Fish was kind enough to send me, I haven't gone back.

Phantom Fish has a video tour on their website, if you're interested in seeing the features first-hand.

Phantom Fish is offering Byline for $3.99 "for a limited time only." This is a six-dollar discount from its original price of ten bucks. It's an excellent product, and if you're as tied to Google Reader as I am, an excellent investment. You can get a copy of Byline 2.0 in the App Store.

Programming note: We'll also be sharing an interview with Byline developer Milo Bird later in the week.



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Phantom Fish yesterday updated Byline to version 2.0, adding functionality to browse by tag, and a spiffy new wood-grain interface. I...
 

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Mike Krus

recently bought the app because of things in the iphone web reader that drove me crazy. It's really good except:
- the look, not to crazy about the fake wood
- the fact that it clips the title of the item in list mode, I find it slows down my scrolling through list of items because it make it harder to read.

December 29 2008 at 1:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin Andersson

I was lucky to work on the icons together with Milo Bird, the developer of Byline. I really enjoy the latest version of Byline, it is perfect if there is no internet connection available, and you want to keep yourself posted :)

You can read a bit about the icons, and see a high resolution of the pencil here: http://blog.kevinandersson.dk/2008/10/14/case-byline/

October 16 2008 at 9:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Moshe

I love Byline and use it daily. But I hate the new UI and icon! At this point, I will be ignoring future updates. I'm sticking to 1.0.2

October 15 2008 at 11:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PSM

I currently use Feeds as my RSS reader. One thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't cache photos for offline reading. I only read RSS on the subway, so basically I never get to see the photos. Does anybody know if Byline can download photos to be viewed offline?

October 15 2008 at 9:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to PSM's comment
Andy

Yes, Byline can be configured to download a copy of the actual post (so effectively you see the whole webpage) which includes any images - and site ad's of course.

This for me is the killer iPhone app. I use it daily and rely on the fact that offline reading is possible (and excellently done). The 2.0 upgrade is great but like other posters here I can't say I like the wood grain effect. I agree with Jim, the old fashioned thing is just too much of a contradiction with the tech it's running on..

October 16 2008 at 1:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PSM

Thanks for the reply. I bought the app, and offline reading seems to work great.

October 16 2008 at 3:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

It's not common knowledge to me - I paid ten bucks for this when it first came out.

That being said, I don't regret the purchase at all. This product transforms my touch into an offline eReader and is by far the most-used app. It is the sole reason why I am now addicted to my ipod, for better or for worse. The upgrade is amazing - the individual folders allow me to carry around even more feeds... the self-contained browser is awesome, it behaves just like safari.

but yeah wtf is up with the faux wood?! makes it look damn cheap and hillbilly... is it supposed to reflect a 'sitting by the fire warming up your toes while you are drinking wine and smoking cigars reading the paper... in the 19th century' theme? because, um, it ain't working. why? cus it's a app on a touchscreen phone, that's why. trying something like this is just tacky kitsch...

October 15 2008 at 8:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Victor

Just looked at the app in the AppStore and it's doing $3.99 right now...

October 15 2008 at 4:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Victor's comment
Victor

Apologies. Guess that's common knowledge.

October 15 2008 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jash Sayani

I like the Google WebApp better... It has a good mail interface, Google Docs, Nice Google Notebook interface and a pretty good Google Reader as well.....

October 15 2008 at 2:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jonathan Chan

what does the 4th icon do? The one w/ the signal bars. I know the first icon pulls up the original web page, the 2nd is to mail links, the third to star and the last to add notes but I couldn't figure out what the 4th icon does. Sorry if it's a dumb ?.

October 15 2008 at 2:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Jonathan Chan's comment
Panda

For those of us that aren't Google Reader users, is there any reason to switch from the free-and-excellent NetNewsWire?

October 15 2008 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tico24

Its a fantastic reader. Not sure why they decided to go down the route of making it look like crap. Whats with all the dodgy wood-effect all over the place? Please Byline...give me an option to bring back the sleek Apple look.

October 15 2008 at 1:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to tico24's comment
Mike

I agree... I like the functionality of the new update, but I am really upset they made it look extremely ugly in the process.

October 15 2008 at 2:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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