Instapaper Pro ($4.99) is the answer to the biggest lacking feature on the iPod touch, as it offers offline viewing for your favorite online documents. Simply register an account with instapaper.com, use the bookmarklet to add items, and once it syncs with the iPhone/iPod touch app, you’re ready to go.
Here’s what I LOVE about this: unlike the iPhone (well, kinda), the iPod touch doesn’t work everywhere. I could easily mark a bunch of items as “Read Later” at the office, for example, and read them on the way home while listening to my music. Instapaper Pro formats the articles for optimal iPhone/iPod touch viewing, which is great.
Additionally, the pro version will also sync your favorite blogs or RSS feeds by default. An example of this is shown in the screenshot, featuring this blog. As you can see, Instapaper displays the articles in an easy-to-read format, and you can then click on the items on the list to see the article in text only (by default, graphics are turned off unless you opt-in).
Other features include the ability to Star items that you’ve read (up to 20 in the app), archive items, the ability to rotate and see the article in landscape view, and “dark” mode, featuring a black background instead of white.
Do I like Instapaper? The better word would be “love.” There are so many articles I want to “Read Later” but never get the chance to right away, so taking them in the palm of my hand is the best possible option. As such, Instapaper delivers a necessity.
