Pocket, is an add-on to Google’s Chrome browser, and it’s the most useful bit of software I’ve run across in a while.
I haven’t been in the habit of reading fiction online. Sitting at my desktop Mac to read a story just isn’t comfortable for me. Sitting with my full-size laptop at a desk doesn’t work either. So I used to get out my Netbook, settle down in a recliner or in bed, and read from that — but that was awkward too. So I contemplated joining the tablet generation. When my son-in-law showed me his Nexus 7 with Pocket, I immediately ordered my own.
What does Pocket do? If you’re logged into Google Chrome, then any interesting article or story you see on the web can be saved in your Pocket. Doesn’t matter what device you’re using: phone, desktop, laptop, tablet… (*Ahem*, yes I have all of those. Technology is not simplifying my life.)
Later, when you have time to read, you can open up the article or story whether you’re online and off. But here’s the killer feature: you’re not reading the web page — you’re reading the article as if it’s been laid out as a book page. You can see one of my recent posts, displayed in Pocket, in the image below.
This is so awesome! Though I have to wonder if it’s legal? from a copyright perspective? Also, if Pocket becomes very common, I have to wonder if website ad revenue will take a serious hit, because people are no longer reading on the website. Of course, many already read via RSS feeds, which skip the website ads.
At any rate, from a reader’s perspective, this is a wonderful development. Just in the few days I’ve had Pocket (and a tablet), I suspect I’ve read more online fiction than I have in the past year.
Posted on: Sunday, March 16th, 2014 at 7:11 am
Categories: Technology.
Tags: Pocket
March 16th, 2014 at 7:29 am
Pocket has been out for quite a long time. I’ve had it on my Mac, iPhone and iPad(s) for several years, even when it went through a name-change and became Pocket. (I don’t remember what it was before that, and too lazy on a Sunday to go look it up.) Enjoy!!!
March 16th, 2014 at 7:34 am
I was wondering if it had been out a long time, but was too lazy to look it up. Funny thing is, no one I’ve mentioned it to so far has heard of it! Well, until now. 😉
March 16th, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Actually, as well as being on those devices, Kobo has integrated it into their ereaders so articles sync to Pocket as new books are downloaded.
I use Pocket for articles less useful than those I put into Evernote but still worth reading at leisure.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:55 am
I’ll have to look into Evernote one of these days. Ironically, I tend to be a late adapter. Or is it adopter? *too lazy to figure it out* 😉