New Byline update makes it the best

[SkillsToShow]

New Byline update has been released. Bunch of new options but most importantly it syncs 2x faster and they changed the UI and Im loving it.
They also have added the ability to sort the feeds by websites.

 

[blusteryday]

I don't mind the changes to the UI, but the icon change is really bumming me out (I know it seems like a small thing, but it's bothering me). The last one was a work of art and did a good job of relaying the quality of the application. The new one is so boring and ugly and really diminishes the quality feel of the app. I really hope the developer will switch the icon back.

 

[ntrigue]

Byline. The only solution for RSS on iPhone. 499 pennies folks and worth every one I them!

 

[SkillsToShow]

I don't mind the changes to the UI, but the icon change is really bumming me out (I know it seems like a small thing, but it's bothering me). The last one was a work of art and did a good job of relaying the quality of the application. The new one is so boring and ugly and really diminishes the quality feel of the app. I really hope the developer will switch the icon back.

I agree, when I saw the Byline icon in the update I was glad that my ipod was themed with custom icons.

 

[vortex46]

the latest version is 2.0.2, right?

 

[MaxPower49]

No, v2.5 came out last night. The update is great... faster, better looking interface, new features. This is the best RSS reader available. I have to agree about the new icon being ugly though. If you have a jailbroken device, you can change it yourself.

 

[normwood]

This is great news. I have been waiting for them to have an update before I took the plunge. I'm using the Google Reader webapp now but tried Gazette (too slow) and Newsstand (missed the Google two-way sync).

Will have to check this out when I get home tonight.

Steve

 

[gowanis]

i tried to sync updated Byline over EDGE today and it took forever. Also, it did not sync properly with Google. I have about 900+ unread on Google and the Byline badge shows 98.

I'm gonna try again with wifi when I get home tonight and hopefully it will work properly.

 

[gowanis]

tried with wifi. still took forever to sync. unread count is closer, but it does not match google. Still can't drill down to individual feeds.

Conclusion: Gazette is still better.

I'm still going to stick with Google Reader on Safari. It remains the best option for now.

 

[MaxPower49]

Still can't drill down to individual feeds.

Yes you can... when you are in a folder click the button in the top right.

 

[gowanis]

Yes you can... when you are in a folder click the button in the top right.

ok, i see it now. interesting way of implementing that.

why doesn't the google sync work correctly? why don't unread counts match ?

 

[MaxPower49]

ok, i see it now. interesting way of implementing that.

why doesn't the google sync work correctly? why don't unread counts match ?

I'm not sure... how many unread do you have in google? I think the most byline allows you to sync is 200 per folder.

 

[spyker3292]

I loved the old UI and icon. The new UI is meh, but I'll get used to it. The icon however... ahhh!

 

[gowanis]

I'm not sure... how many unread do you have in google? I think the most byline allows you to sync is 200 per folder.

I often have more than 200 unread in a single feed, but in my test case the actual unread was about 150 and byline was showing something like 96. It amazes me that these apps can't get this right. If they claim to have Google Reader sync, after I sync and close the app, the badge number should match Google's total unread, period.

I also noticed with Byline that sometimes the unread number completely disappears from the icon and sometimes it comes back. Its just crap.

 

[normwood]

Downloaded this when I got home last night!

I didn't have the old version so I have nothing to compare to.

This is an awesome App! Very fast, nice clean interface and lots of good features. I love it!

I should quit here but what the heck....to all those complaining about the App Icon and all the people with silly little nit-picks that result in them thinking the App is crap.....BOO HOO!

Stev

 

[gowanis]

Downloaded this when I got home last night!

I should quit here but what the heck....to all those complaining about the App Icon and all the people with silly little nit-picks that result in them thinking the App is crap.....BOO HOO!

If you are referring to my comments, I think proper Google sync is not a nit pick. Its a key feature that doesn't work properly.

 

[gospel9]

I often have more than 200 unread in a single feed, but in my test case the actual unread was about 150 and byline was showing something like 96. It amazes me that these apps can't get this right. If they claim to have Google Reader sync, after I sync and close the app, the badge number should match Google's total unread, period.

I also noticed with Byline that sometimes the unread number completely disappears from the icon and sometimes it comes back. Its just crap.

That's probably because byline by default only fetches the first 25 feeds per folder that you have? You can change this in the settings I believe.

Reason for this is probably to reduce stress on the CPU of the iPhone.

It really dosen't matter in my opinion as you can always press sync to get the rest of the feeds or "Load more items"

 

[normwood]

If you are referring to my comments, I think proper Google sync is not a nit pick. Its a key feature that doesn't work properly.

No....sorry....I should have been more specific. Your's is a reasonable complaint. It's the people...especially in the reviews on iTunes that say nonsense like "Bring back the old icon....App is now crap!"

Maybe it makes it less appealing looking....but it's a great App and I think it's unfair to bash someone's hard work over something so trivial.

Sorry for the confusion.

Steve

 

[gowanis]

That's probably because byline by default only fetches the first 25 feeds per folder that you have? You can change this in the settings I believe.

Reason for this is probably to reduce stress on the CPU of the iPhone.

It really dosen't matter in my opinion as you can always press sync to get the rest of the feeds or "Load more items"

I'll have to do some testing.

I believe an RSS reader that has Google sync should strictly match Google at all times. Gazette is the only one that does this I guess. Still, its very slow.

Since I don't need off-line reading, I'm gonna just stay with Google Reader for Safari.

 

[ntrigue]

Byline is cream of the crop. Gazette? Sync times are atrocious.

I think there's been some confusion. Byline's settings are buried in the iPhone Settings.app. There you will discover the ability to greatly improve the App. It may not be ideal for those of you that have 900 unread feeds but for someone like myself that sees from 90-150 feeds each morning, Byline is brilliant.

I simply set Byline to cache on WiFi only 100 feeds while iPhone is still on charger. Then I enjoy reading these with images throughout the day in Airplane Mode.

I think some of the complaints are related to the following:

Suppose I sync my feeds. Google says I have 112. Byline pulls 100 and the badge reads 100. However, if I add up the numbers Folder-by-Folder the feeds available are actually 112. Even when New Feeds says '0' some of my folders will still have badges equating to those lost 12 and by clicking each folder I can access said feeds.