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Except that foreseeably, there will be no way for Instapaper to have the same intuitive interface that Reading List benefits from. The only possible future for
by antimatter15 15y ago
Except that foreseeably, there will be no way for Instapaper to have the same intuitive interface that Reading List benefits from. The only possible future for Instapaper is as a functionally superior app with a inferior interface. There's no way that Apple's going to lend the same degree of control over the functionality of Safari to any third-party app developer.
A pessimistic response is logical and probably the only rational response. There's simply no way to compete with Apple's Reading List because Apple's made it that way.
Instapaper, which is really a wonderful app has this weird workflow for use: Install the app, and to install the bookmarklet (some rudimentary Safari integration), you have to go to a page, create a empty bookmark, go back and edit the bookmark with a copied-and-pasted javascript: url. I'm sure Marco has tried his best to improve the interface, but Apple's restrictions on the platform forbids it.
- msbarnett 15y agoThe best, easiest way to install the Instapaper bookmarklet was always to do it through the desktop browser and then rely on MobileMe to sync that to your iPad and iPhone. The problem was that not every iOS user was willing to throw down $99 a year for things like over-the-air bookmark synchronization. Now that that syncing is going to be free and available to every user of iOS 5, the Instapaper bookmarklet installation process just got simpler, not harder.
- antimatter15 15y agoIt might get simpler, but the interface will never be as nice as Reading List has it. It'll never be as intuitive or user friendly. It'll never be able to have Safari integration.
- Steko 15y agoOTOH he could achieve superior integration with iCab, Skyfire, Opera, Sleipnir, etc.
- omaranto 15y agoAn equally easy but free way to install is to sync browser bookmarks with iTunes.
- tjr 15y agoSo should Marco have tried to patent the Instapaper concept?
- antimatter15 15y agoNo, I don't think the idea is Marco's or Apple's for that matter. But applications should be able to compete on merit, not the willingness of the platform provider. Be it regulatory or grassroots, Apple should be forced to allow third parties to do everything that first parties can.