Instapaper is a "read it later" web service. The idea is that in our daily Web surfing, RSS skimming, and Twiter trolling we come across interesting articles that are too long to read in the 5 minute window we have allotted for our hourly Web break from work. Using Instapaper you can save the article to read when you have the time and focus to read the article.
What separates Instapaper from a bookmarking service is that it is built around the idea that you will return to read interesting articles on a mobile device and not a full blown computer.
The saved articles are run through a robust "mobilizer" filter that strips out most of the adverts and other clutter that festoons typical Web sites. This makes it easier to read on a mobile device and makes it easier to focus on reading the actual content of the article.
Instapaper has mobile applications for iOS that allows you to sync your saved articles for reading offline. The applications run on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. They have a number of helpful features including the ability to switch to a white on black theme for bed time reading and syncing your place in an article across your devices.
Instapaper also works with e-readers. You can download articles in e-pub format to sync with many e-readers. Kindle users can get their saved articles sent to their Kindles.
Getting articles into Instapaper is easy and getting easier. On a desktop Web browser you can install a bookmarklet that saves a Wen page to Instapaper. A number of mobile apps and desktop applications use the Instapaper API to build Instapaper directly into their interfaces. For example the iOS Twitter app has a menu item to save articles to Instapaper.
One of the features a really like is the "Editors Pick" section. The editor's picks run the gamut. They are long form articles from all corners of the Web. Not all of them interest me, but having access to them helps expand my reading circle.
Instapaper is a mostly free service. You can get an account for free and use all of the features on the Web site. For free you also get a very functional iOS application. For a few dollars, you can get the Pro version of the Instapaper app that adds folder control, better control of syncing, and a few other features. The developer is also thinking about adding a subscription to the mix, but that idea has not been terribly fleshed out. He has, however, promised that most of the features will always be free.
For me paying the five bucks for the Pro app was a no brainer. I use the service all the time and could spare a latte to keep the developer in business. Try the service for free, and you will quickly agree.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
The End of Life as We Knew It
H and I realized a life long dream over the summer. We added a child to our family. It was a long frustrating process getting the child. Having the child is an exhilarating exhausting experience.
Everyone says that having a child completely changes your life. H and I intellectually understood that our lives as we knew them were effectively over. No longer were we the center of our universe. Intellectually knowing something and being ready for it are different things.
We expected that we wouldn't go out as much. We knew that our outdoor adventures would be curtailed. We knew that sleep would become a precious resource. We knew that alone time would be scarce.
It has been the little things we didn't expect. We didn't expect that running to the store for a quick errand was a major excursion. It needs to planned so that you go between feedings and that the baby is not already napping. Then there all the supplies that need to be packed into the diaper bag. It takes longer getting ready to go to CVS than it does to drive there and back.
I didn't expect that the egg which has packed two sea kayaks, two bicycles, and enough camping gear for two weeks would be space constrained when taking a trip to the mall. The stroller, diaper bag, and related baby supplies consume the majority of my hatch. The baby seat effectively takes up the back seat because there needs to be a seat next to the baby incase she gets super fussy.
I certainly didn't expect that I would become hyper focused on another person's health. I notice changes in feeding patterns, changes in sleeping patterns, or her general attitude. I watch her breathing for signs of trouble. I notice slight changes all the time.
The biggest change is the amount of joy she brings into our lives. Her smile is enough to make up for a day of crap at work. The silly baby noises she makes are better than a good joke. It is truly indescribable.
Everyone says that having a child completely changes your life. H and I intellectually understood that our lives as we knew them were effectively over. No longer were we the center of our universe. Intellectually knowing something and being ready for it are different things.
We expected that we wouldn't go out as much. We knew that our outdoor adventures would be curtailed. We knew that sleep would become a precious resource. We knew that alone time would be scarce.
It has been the little things we didn't expect. We didn't expect that running to the store for a quick errand was a major excursion. It needs to planned so that you go between feedings and that the baby is not already napping. Then there all the supplies that need to be packed into the diaper bag. It takes longer getting ready to go to CVS than it does to drive there and back.
I didn't expect that the egg which has packed two sea kayaks, two bicycles, and enough camping gear for two weeks would be space constrained when taking a trip to the mall. The stroller, diaper bag, and related baby supplies consume the majority of my hatch. The baby seat effectively takes up the back seat because there needs to be a seat next to the baby incase she gets super fussy.
I certainly didn't expect that I would become hyper focused on another person's health. I notice changes in feeding patterns, changes in sleeping patterns, or her general attitude. I watch her breathing for signs of trouble. I notice slight changes all the time.
The biggest change is the amount of joy she brings into our lives. Her smile is enough to make up for a day of crap at work. The silly baby noises she makes are better than a good joke. It is truly indescribable.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
TV Box Interfaces
I just got done reading a description of the new Logitec Revue. It sounds impressive. It definitely out does the competition in terms of features and for triple the price it should.
The thing I'm intrigued by is the remote which includes a full on keyboard. The keyboard will make typing in searches easier than the onscreen keyboards used on most TV boxes now. But do I want to use a keyboard to interact with my TV? My gut says no.
What I really think would be interesting is a TV box that let me use my phone or tablet control things. I'm picturing a scenario where the search for content entirely on my remote while the big screen continues to show the real content. When I find the show I want to watch I can then switch the big screen. Browse on the tablet and watch on the TV.
The thing I'm intrigued by is the remote which includes a full on keyboard. The keyboard will make typing in searches easier than the onscreen keyboards used on most TV boxes now. But do I want to use a keyboard to interact with my TV? My gut says no.
What I really think would be interesting is a TV box that let me use my phone or tablet control things. I'm picturing a scenario where the search for content entirely on my remote while the big screen continues to show the real content. When I find the show I want to watch I can then switch the big screen. Browse on the tablet and watch on the TV.
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