04.20.09
gReader: iPhone vs. Regular
A while ago I stumbled upon the regular, non-iPhone version of Google Reader, while using my iPhone. If you don’t use an iPhone, you’ll see it here. If you do, you’ll see this version (both browser loadable).
At left, the regular mobile version. At right, the iPhone version.
I actually prefer the non-iPhone version for a few reasons:
- The regular mobile version is plainer and more condensed. It’s speedier over 3G, wireless and most importantly, Edge.
- It uses different language: you’re presented with a “Reading List” versus “All Items.” The language seems a bit more friendly and intimate that way.
- The iPhone version uses the web version’s folders visually though the web version also has a annoying discrepancy between the usage of tags/subscriptions/folders. The non-iPhone version just uses tags and subscriptions.
- Most importantly and my favourite reason has to be with the way the non-iPhone version keeps the open feed item active even when you go back to gReader after opening a link or the full item in a new page in Mobile Safari. In the iPhone version, it uses Javascript inline and thus doesn’t retain the page when coming back to it after viewing a new page — it’s random when Mobile Safari will refresh the link or not and if it does, the item you were reading has now been marked as read and disappears from view unless you have All Items as the default vs. All New Items.
Small things and your mileage and preferences will vary but for me, I prefer the non-iPhone version.
