75k subscriptions later, Serial Reader for iOS gets a major update
iCloud Sync, Dictionary & Wikipedia, Read Ahead, and more
I’m excited to announce the release of Serial Reader version 1.5! The update includes iCloud Syncing, highlighting, dictionary and Wikipedia lookups, along with more options to let you control your serials.
Since launching in January, Serial Reader has delivered 2.3 million issues and readers have subscribed to 75,000 serials.
I thought I’d go through each of the big new features…
Dictionary & Wikipedia
By far the top-requested feature is the ability to lookup unfamiliar words and phrases. With version 1.5, Serial Reader now offers the ability to get definitions and query Wikipedia while reading, all without losing your place. As many readers pointed out to me, classic books are, well, classic and contain more than their fair share of antiquated and now-unfamiliar words and phrases. As such, this feature likely should have been available from version 1.0.
Badges
Serial Reader is very much geared towards turning reading into a daily habit. It’s so much easier to form habits with a little bit of positive feedback. I’ve added quite a few little virtual “slaps on the back” into Serial Reader, including badges when you reach important milestones like 50,000 words read or 30 sections finished. They don’t do much beyond brightening your day, but sometimes that little bit of positivity is so helpful.
Serial Reader Premium
The next few new features can be unlocked by a new, one-time $2.99 in-app purchase. The revenue generated by Serial Reader Premium will go towards keeping my server running and meeting demand, as well as allowing me to dedicate more time developing Serial Reader and adding more books.
Read Ahead
If you have some extra time on your hands, or want to start a book halfway through, now you can! Read Ahead allows you to skip ahead to future issues within a serial. It’s not time travel, but it’s close! Available for Serial Premium.
iCloud Sync
As an owner of multiple iOS devices, I’m most excited about this one. Serial Reader can now sync your subscriptions and progress to your other iOS devices, so if you couldn’t finish today’s issue on your iPhone in the morning, you can pick up right where you left off on your iPad in the evening. Plus, if you lose your iOS device or accidentally delete Serial Reader, all your serials will be waiting when you next install Serial Reader. Available with Serial Premium.
Notes & Highlights
Another much requested feature! Now when reading, you can select text and either highlight it or add a note. You can then access both easily in new Highlights and Notes sections. It’s a great way to collect favorite passages or remind yourself of important ideas later. Both also sync via iCloud! Available with Serial Premium.
Pause Serial Delivery
If you know you won’t have time to read in the next few days, but don’t want issues pilling up and gathering dust, you can now pause a serial to temporarily stop receiving new issues. Un-pause anytime to pick up right where you left off! Available with Serial Premium.
Read Later List
When browsing for available serials to read, you may find some you want to remember for later but can’t read right now. In Serial Reader version 1.5, you can add these tiles to your Read Later list. It bookmarks serials for later, so you can come back and subscribe when you’re ready! Your Read Later list also syncs via iCloud. Available with Serial Premium.
More Fonts
Last, but likely not least for some readers, I’ve expanded the font options within Serial Reader. All readers get access to a few new fonts in version 1.5, and if you purchase Serial Premium even more fonts are unlocked.
In addition to all of these, I’ve made several general improvements and fixed a whole host of bugs. If you haven’t used Serial Reader in a while, you’ll also find a long list of new titles available.
As a relatively new iOS developer, this is definitely one of the biggest updates I’ve worked on. I’m so excited for everyone to give it a try and hope you’ll enjoy all of the new bells and whistles in Serial Reader. You can download it today from the Apple App Store.
If you enjoy Serial Reader, I hope you’ll spread the word or leave a review. Happy reading, everyone!
