Despite the widespread use of 3G and recent introduction of 4G, reading online content offline is still an important need for many mobile and tablet users, allowing them both to reduce data charges and access web content in areas with poor or non-existent 3G reception. Moreover, with 3G roaming rates still prohibitively expensive in many countries, offline reading can often be invaluable abroad. As a result, offline reading has now been incorporated into Apple’s latest iOS and an ever growing number of apps are available on both iOS and Android that allow users to save online content for offline reading. Pocket sets itself apart from this multitude through its clean interface and ease of use. Perhaps most importantly, Pocket is free, despite boasting a better design and more comprehensive feature list than many of its paid rivals.
Pocket is especially useful on Android powered tablets, where its clean interface comes to the fore and users can also benefit from the app’s new text-to-speech feature, a feature that’s missing from the iOS version. Through Pocket, users can save web sites, articles and images for viewing offline, either by integrating Pocket with their mobile browser, using one of the thousands of apps that boast Pocket functionality or emailing a link to the content to add@getpocket.com. Once content has been saved, it will be synced automatically when Pocket is opened, and can then be viewed offline. Usefully, Pocket also offers the ability to save a text-only version of the desires article or web site, perfect for sites with an excess of distracting banner ads.
Pocket also allows you to save video from Youtube, Vimeo or any other video site, although this content can disappointingly not be viewed offline. Still, it’s a great feature if you want to set up a playlist of your favourite videos and have it integrated with your other content. Notably, the Pocket website also includes a blog that lists users’ top ten most saved videos of the week, a great place to go if you’re looking for inspiration.
Some of Pocket’s other useful features include the ability to sort your saved content by type and the ability to star your favourite articles and sites. The app also includes an impressive range of visual options, including the ability to change text size or font, a low contrast sepia mode, and a dark theme that gives the app a dark background and white text. The last of these is especially useful for reading in bed, as the dark theme means that the app gives out less light overall and is less irritating for bleary eyes.
With a great interface, comprehensive features and the ability to save any content for offline reading, Pocket is an invaluable addition to your smartphone or Android tablet.
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