Nextgen Reader bumped to version 5.1; adds new design improvements

Nextgen Reader is the popular RSS Reader for Windows 8 and Windows Phone, being continuously updated before and after Google shut down its Reader service. If you're looking for a solution to keep you on top of latest headlines, Nextgen Reader is certainly worth checking out - check out our review to see what our thoughts are on the apps.

The team has pushed out version 5.1 for Windows Phone, which includes numerous new design tweaks and improvements, as well as a few fixes to keep everyone happy.

These new design improvements include a new slate theme for consumers to take advantage of the new dark look, great for low-light browsing. To join the new theme is a new article view design, which preloads next and previous items for efficient loading. New font style and text alignment options are now available, alongside a set open method per feed (summary or full article - previously exclusive to the Windows 8 version).

Nextgen

Nextgen Reader also looks great on Windows 8

Nextgen Reader will also now remember the list style per feed (headline, headline with images, etc.). That's quite the update and we're sure everyone who utilises the service will enjoy the new look and feel. As for fixes, we're looking at the following:

  • Load summary when no internet connection or request fails
  • Show image captions correctly
  • Other bug fixes and performance improvements

Do note that because Google has indeed shut down its RSS service, Nextgen Reader apps now fully support Feedly (cloud.feedly.com). You can easily create an account with the new service, so it's not a negative as such. On the Next Matters blog, an article detailing this latest Nextgen Reader update also teases at API and platform improvements in Windows 8.1.

You can download Nextgen Reader from the Windows Phone Store for $1.99 - an unlimited free, ad-supported trial is also available.

QR: Nextgen Reader

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.