Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Pocket

Free

Pocket is a service for managing a reading list of articles and videos from the Internet.

Our take

Never miss an article with Pocket.

So, Pocket is this app that lets you save articles, videos, and just about anything else you find online to check out later. It's like a digital junk drawer, but in a good way. If you're the type who stumbles on random cool stuff but can't read or watch it right away, Pocket is a lifesaver. You just hit the save button, and boom, it's stored for later. The beauty here is its simplicity — there's no fuss, just a straightforward way to collect things you don’t want to lose in the depths of the internet.

One thing that stands out is the offline access. You save something, and Pocket downloads it right to your device. This means you can catch up on your saved articles on the subway or a flight, where Wi-Fi is nonexistent. It's super handy for those moments when you’re stuck without internet. Still, the offline feature isn’t perfect for videos, since space becomes an issue, and not every video format plays nice offline. So, while it’s excellent for reading, don’t expect it to be a full-on media player.

The interface is pretty clean and intuitive, which I appreciate. You don’t need a manual to figure it out. However, the tagging system is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, tags help you organize stuff, but on the other, it can feel like extra work. If you're not diligent about tagging, your saved content can quickly turn into a cluttered mess. It’s a bit of a tradeoff: stay organized or risk wading through chaos. But if you're cool with just dumping everything into one place and sorting it out later, it’s not a huge deal.

Pocket also has this feature where it recommends articles based on what you've saved, which is both awesome and a little creepy. It’s like it knows you, sometimes better than you know yourself. While the recommendations are usually on point, there are days it throws out some real head-scratchers. If you're into discovering new stuff, this feature is a nice touch. But if you’re wary of algorithms misreading your vibe, it might feel a bit invasive.

In terms of integration, Pocket plays nice with a ton of apps and browsers, so it fits right into most workflows without a hitch. You can save from your browser, your phone, or even email things directly to your Pocket. However, syncing can sometimes lag, which is a bummer if you’re switching devices frequently. Overall, Pocket's a nifty tool if you're a content hoarder and want an easy way to keep track of all the cool stuff you find. Just be ready to wrestle with a bit of organizational upkeep if you want to keep things tidy.