Instapaper Pro – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Marco Arment
Version #: 1.2
Date Released: 2008-08-21
Developer:
Price: 9.99
User Rating:
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Instapaper Pro is a feature add-on version of the standard and free version. The review of the free app can be found here and all of the information remains relevant. What is not included in the previous review is the fact that Instapaper has become more useful and used over the last month and a half and that upgrading to the Pro version increases that usability.
So what does the Pro version add for $10? Three things-
Place-Saving-
The Pro version saves your place in an article if you suddenly close down the app. It is a nice feature that works well but, quite honestly, not something I really feel I need.
Text Tweaks-
The Pro version allows you to adjust fonts, text sizes, and colors in order to improve the reading experience. It is a nice addition that works well. Personally, though, the default font Instapaper uses is fine for my needs. As a result this is a feature I can take or leave.
Tilt Scrolling-
The Pro version allows you to scroll articles by simply tilting the device forward or back. This is a killer feature! Scrolling without constantly touching the screen is an incredible convenience, especially when reading a long article.
When I used to read eBooks on my Windows Mobile devices I always used the auto-scroll feature and this is far better and convenient. (It is also something I hope the next version of eReader will include.)
Unfortunately it currently works only with the device in portrait. In landscape you still need to finger scroll.
In addition, as Instapaper’s developer Marco Armen writes on his blog–
There’s still a lot more I want to do. There are more places I can take this. I compiled a feature list for what I want in Instapaper.app 2.0, and it’s huge. It’s easily 6 months of work. I can’t do this and anything else — it has to just be this. I can only devote a few hours per week to Instapaper as it is. But if I can pull off the product I want for 2.0, I’ll really have something amazing. That’s the path I’m choosing.
Translation- this is only just the beginning.
So is upgrading to the Pro version worth $10? It depends. I love the tilt-to-scroll feature but while I like the other features I can live without them. I assume, though, that, having bought the pro version, I will be able to get all the addiitonal features as Marco adds them. In addition, as I wrote in a blog post yesterday, I think this is an amazing app and I want to encourage further development of it. This is a great way to do that. I would highly recommend the free version for EVERYONE and, if you find yourself using it I would suggest the upgrade.
Quick Take
Value: Medium
Would I Buy Again: I would
Learning Curve: Low
Who is it for: Peple who do a lot of electronic reading
What I like: AUTO-TILT-TO-SCROLL!!!!
What I Don’t: Expensive
Final Statement: Instapaper is amazing and worth a look!!
Save web pages for later offline reading.
Great for long articles and blog posts that you find during the day and would like to read, but don't have the time when you find them. Save them with Instapaper, then read them when you're commuting, in a meeting, or waiting in line. Add pages on Instapaper.com or with a Read Later bookmark.
EXCLUSIVE PRO FEATURES:
Position-saving: resume any article where you left off.
Tilt scrolling: Scroll without constantly touching the screen.
Adjustable fonts, text sizes, and colors.
And more!
See details and a demo video: https://www.instapaper.com/iphone
No need to buy blind: try Instapaper Free first!O U R T A K E . . .
