booking entertainment: Feed Wrangler makes RSS easy with Smart Streams, filters, and more

Feed Wrangler makes RSS easy with Smart Streams, filters, and more

Feed Wrangler for both iPhone and iPad is the new guy on the block when it comes to RSS reader apps but that doesn't mean it lacks in quality. Complete with smart streams, Google Reader import options, and read it later integration for both Pocket and Instapaper, it may be a better option for those who don't like the more dynamic interfaces of apps like Feedly or Flipboard.

Upon launching Feed Wrangler, many users may be caught off guard unless they read the app description before downloading. While Feed Wrangler is a free download, you'll need to subscribe to the service in order to actually use the app. This will run you $18.99 a year which could be off putting to many users. The first thing you'll want to do is import your feeds from Google Reader or add them manually. This is easy enough within settings. Just be aware it may take a few minutes for your feeds to filter in. You can also do this via the Feed Wrangler website.

Feed Wrangler also has deep integration with both Pocket and Instapaper for read later support. One thing I did like is if I had no need feeds, Feed Wrangler gave me an instant link to my read it later service of choice. One thing I always seem to do is forget that I've saved articles for later and then I have a ton to catch up on when I do remember. This may help to me jump in and play catch up more often when there aren't any new stories available to browse.

Many Google Reader users may have categories set up but sadly, those won't import. The good news is that Feed Wrangler actually has what a lot of people may consider a better way to sift through news feeds. Smart streams allow you to enter keywords and create a stream that will only filter in news that contains those terms. For example, if you wanted to create an Apple stream, you can input keywords such as iOS, iPhone, iPad, and anything else you're interested in. Feed Wrangler will then obey that criteria and only feed in stories under that stream that contains those terms.

Features like search work exactly like you'd expect. Results are displayed quickly and in most cases, accurately.

The good

Simple interface that doesn't distract from actually reading
Syncs quickly and articles load almost instantly
Smart Streams are brilliant and a much better way to filter news than just regular categories
Share options including email, message, Twitter, Facebook, and App.net

The bad

No unread badge count
The yearly subscription model will no doubt turn off many users when other options are available
I had initial issues getting Google Reader to actually sync

The bottom line

Feed Wrangler is incredibly fast and for users that want a simple interface that allows them to just read content with no distractions, it may be a perfect fit. Unfortunately, the $18.99/year subscription fee will undoubtedly be a turnoff to potential users considering there are many RSS apps already available in the App Store that can be purchased for a one time fee and do just as good of a job at serving up their RSS feeds. It could no doubt make it a subscription a very hard sell.

Then again, with Google Reader going away this summer, it's very possible we're going to see RSS subscriptions become a much more common option. You'll also be left with no choice but to export and import your Google Reader feeds to another service.

While there are already paid services out there but the free offering by Google Reader made it somewhat hard to compete, until now. That may change, making Feed Wrangler a much more appealing option consider it's cheaper or very well in line with other popular paid options. Either way, it will definitely be interesting to see where the RSS market goes over the next several months.

If you decide to give Feed Wrangler a try, let us know what you think about the app itself and the cost associated with using it.